Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all targeting a move for Brentford captain Nathan Collins.
Daily Mail Sport understands that interest in the 24-year-old centre-half is surging – although the Bees may well be highly reluctant to sell.
Irishman Collins was given the captain’s armband earlier this month and promptly celebrated by scoring the only goal of the game in a friendly victory against neighbours QPR.
New manager and compatriot Keith Andrews spoke glowingly of the former Stoke City and Burnley defender, describing him as ‘a natural leader’. And, following a summer which saw two key players depart, Brentford have no need to cash in on a player who joined for a club record £23m from Wolves on a six-year deal in 2023.
However, United and Spurs have now joined Liverpool in tracking Collins, who succeeded the departing Christian Norgaard as skipper.
United are keen on adding another defender and have already raided the Bees for £65m Bryan Mbeumo. However, any further business at Old Trafford is only likely to arrive should existing squad members depart.
Man United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all targeting a move for Brentford’S Nathan Collins (R)
Spurs are also seeking defensive reinforcements. New manager Thomas Frank, who arrived from Brentford this summer, is an admirer of Collins but may well be reluctant to act given the level of respect for his former employers.
Liverpool’s need to strengthen at the back was underlined by Friday night’s nervy 4-2 opening day victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.
Collins became Stoke’s youngest captain at the age of 18 and has played 30 times for the Republic of Ireland. He has been in the starting XI for this afternoon’s opening fixture at Nottingham Forest.
Collins has been earmarked to play a key role for Andrews, who has been able to bring in reinforcements following the losses of Mbeumo and Norgaard, who joined Arsenal for £15m.
