Queens Park Rangers are weighing up a summer move for Hibs star Ryan Porteous.
The Rs are the latest English Championship side to show a firm interest in the talented centre half.
The 22-year-old is the radar of QPR director of football Les Ferdinand, who has had him watched regularly in recent weeks.
Championship rivals Millwall failed with a bid of around £1 million in January.
QPR know they would need to go in significantly higher than that and with serious add ons to get a deal done.
Hibs owner Ron Gordon has already admitted he might consider selling one of his club’s top assets this summer, if the price is right.
Porteous is seen as one of the best young defensive prospects in Scotland and has already been called up to Steve Clarke’s full international squad.
The defender has also helped Hibs run clear in third spot and into the Scottish Cup semi-finals, where they will face Dundee United.
QPR have kept a close eye on the Scottish market since Mark Warburton has been in charge and they are about to give him major backing for a promotion push next season.
The Loftus Road outfit paid around £2 million to Livingston last summer to land Scotland star Lyndon Dykes.
The on-form frontman, who will be part of Scotland’s Euro 2020 squad, has done well in his debut season and has convinced the London club to look north again.
Warburton has already signed the likes of Lee Wallace, Liam Kelly, who is on loan at Motherwell, and Dominic Ball after successful spells in Scotland.
