Watford are set to win the race for Rovers defensive target Ryan Porteous.

The defender is heading to Vicarage Road to tie up a deal with the Championship side, having previously held talks with Watford’s sister club, Udinese.

A six-figure fee has been agreed with Hibernian for the 23-year-old, with reports ranging between £300,000 and £450,000.

Rovers pushed to sign Porteous this month and made a six-figure fee to land the defender.

However, he looks to have chosen Watford who were in the market for a new centre back after allowing William Troost-Ekong to join Salernitana.

Hibs have moved to cash-in on the one cap Scotland international this month rather than see him leave on a free transfer in the summer.

There was the option for clubs to speak with Porteous to agree a pre-contract deal that would have taken effect from the summer, though the Scottish Premiership always preferred a straight sale to recoup some funds.

Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed Rovers’ interest in Porteous last week, highlighting the defender’s leadership qualities.

Director of football Gregg Broughton said after the loan signing of Sorba Thomas that the January window offered opportunities to sign players whose deals were running out, and money would be available for such a deal.

It remains to be seen whether Rovers will go back in for a defender in the remaining days of the window.

The Porteous would have likely confirmed the exit of Daniel Ayala in the summer when his contract ends.

Rovers are well stocked at centre back currently though, particularly with Tomasson having preferred a back four in recent weeks.

Influential defender Dom Hyam will miss at least three more matches, while Ayala is suspended for this weekend’s FA Cup tie with Birmingham City, where Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton are in contention to start.