Brentford were reportedly keen on Everton defender over the summer

Brentford have reportedly looked at signing Everton defender Reece Welch.

The Bees have been credited with the youngster in the last transfer window.

Welch, 19, has risen up through the academy at Goodison Park and is due to see his current contract expire at the end of this season.

However, The Athletic have reported that although Thomas Frank’s side were interested in him in the summer, he is ‘close’ to committing his future to Everton now.

Brentford summer target?

Brentford are no strangers to signing players for the future and they could have seen Welch as an ideal long-term addition.

The Huddersfield-born man has been a regular for the Toffees’ youth sides over recent seasons and was handed his first professional deal back in September.

He made his first-team debut in their FA Cup win over Boreham Wood in the last campaign and will be eyeing an opportunity under Frank Lampard at some point in this campaign.

Brentford will have to look elsewhere if Welch signs a contract extension and with the January transfer window only a few months away now, Frank does have some decisions to make.

It has been a positive start to the new campaign for the London club and their draw away at AFC Bournemouth this weekend leaves them 10th in the table after eight matches.

Next up is an away trip to Newcastle United next Saturday.