The Athletic's Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland has revealed that Reece Welch is close to signing a new contract at Goodison Park.

The Lowdown: Prospect

Welch is certainly a prospect on Merseyside, having made two senior appearances for Frank Lampard's team by the age of just 19, including in the 1-0 win at Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season (Transfermarkt).

At youth level, he has played 68 games in all competitions across the last four campaigns, scoring five goals and supplying one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: New contract?

Taking to Twitter, Boyland has revealed that Welch is 'set to' commit his long-term future to Everton in what he describes as 'another positive step' for the Kevin Thelwell regime at Goodison Park.

The reporter tweeted: "Defender Reece Welch latest #EFC prospect set to commit future to club long-term after Mills, Dobbin etc. Another positive step for Kevin Thelwell's new regime."

Expanding in his article for The Athletic, the journalist adds that the deal is now 'close', coming after Welch attracted interest from fellow Premier League rivals Brentford in the summer.

His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, so the Toffees are hopeful that he will follow fellow prospects Stanley Mills and Lewis Dobbin in committing his future to the club.

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The Verdict: Great move

It is certainly a great move for Everton to tie down their young prospects to long-term deals, with Welch set to be the latest to do so.

The defender recently featured for the England under-2os during the international break, so he is clearly a talent on the international stage as well.

Welch will now be hoping that he can get more chances in the first-team squad at Goodison Park, after showing that he is fully committed to the club.