K.V. Mechelen reportedly want to sign Stephen Welsh permanently, according to Record Sport. The Belgian club were impressed with the defender during his loan spell and are making him a top priority for the summer.

Welsh moved to Mechelen in January and became a regular starter. He helped the team reach the Belgian Pro League Conference League play-offs and scored his first goal for the club in his final game against FCV Dender. He made 19 appearances in total.

Mechelen’s sporting director, Dennis Henderickx, says they want Welsh back at the club. He has also attracted interest from other Belgian and European teams.

But it is not clear if Brendan Rodgers sees him as part of his plans going forward. Celtic already have a number of options in central defence, including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki.

Earlier this season, Welsh found it hard to get into the Celtic team. He spent much of the first half of the season on the bench or in the stands. The loan to Mechelen gave him the chance to play regularly again.

With Gustaf Lagerbielke also out on loan at FC Twente, Celtic are not short of centre-backs. Rodgers will have to decide if Welsh fits into his plans or if the club should sell him now while his value is high.

Rodgers may look to sign a new centre-back in the summer to take things up a gear next season in the Champions League. With Scales currently second choice behind Carter-Vickers, the Irish defender has yet to match the level of the US international.

Rodgers may decide it’s time to move on a number of centre-backs he’s already assessed up close — including the likes of Welsh, Lagerbielke, and Nawrocki — to help fund a move for a top-quality, European-level defender to partner Carter-Vickers.