Hibs are looking at Burnley defender Kevin Long as a potential replacement for Ryan Porteous, according to a report.
English Championship side Watford are believed to be ready to step up their interest in the Easter Road star - who can now officially start talking to interested parties over a pre-contract agreement. The Scotland international made it clear that he would not be signing a new deal in the capital and it is now down to the Hibees whether they receive a suitable offer this month and cash in or lose the stopper for nothing in the summer.
Porteous is being tracked by the Hornets and a number of other English clubs and could be offered terms over a pre-contract agreement. Lee Johnson is reportedly ready to act fast with The Sun reporting that they could raid Vincent Kompany's league leaders - but face competition from Premiership rivals Aberdeen.
READ MORE: Lee Johnson says Hibs 'full of potential' as he delivers Celtic verdict ahead of Hearts derby clash
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Long has fallen out of favour at Turf Moor and wants regular first-team football to stay in the thoughts of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny.
It's set to be a busy month at Easter Road with Forest Green Rovers making a move for Jake Doyle-Hayes. Steven Bradley has also departed for Livingston while a number of other players are set to make an exit.
Speaking about transfers, Johnson told The Scotsman: “We had, and have, too many who are not going to infiltrate the first XI enough for them to progress their careers.
“We need to make them aware, allow their agents to go and do their work, help them in their plight to get a new club, and that’s the right thing to do.
“Sometimes it’s a purchase where someone’s paying a transfer fee to take a player off your hands, sometimes it’s a case of moving them on or giving them an opportunity on loan.”
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