Two Premier League sides linked with Nathan Collins, but one clear choice

Patrick McCarry

There is an exodus at Wolves, this summer.

Conor Coady wrapped up his season-long loan at Everton but is not sticking around Wolves long, with a deal quickly agreed with relegated Leicester City. Nathan Collins could be out the door, too, but remaining in the Premier League.

We can now see why Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui was so eager to talk about his future with the brass, at Molineux. The club has already sold Ruben Neves to Al-Hilal for €55 million with Coady fetching them another €10m. Joao Moutinho, Diego Costa and Adama Traore are unlikely to return after seeing out their contracts.

The writing looked on the wall for Nathan Collins, last season, too as he fell out of favour with the Spaniard. Reflecting on losing his regular starting spot in the Wolves defence, earlier this month, the Ireland star commented:

“It is obviously tough to take but it is the gaffer’s decision. My job was to train harder, work harder and get myself back into the team. As a person, who I am, I will never give up. I will keep working, I fought as hard as I could.

“The thing is I have experienced it before, coming in at Stoke and Burnley I didn’t play at the start. This time it was flipped around, I played at the start and didn’t play at the end.”

It looked as though the 22-year-old centre-half would be off to Brentford when Thomas Frank’s side made an approach, earlier this month, but a new Premier League club has thrown a late hat in the ring.

Nathan Collins pictured playing a friendly for Wolves against Sporting CP. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Clear choice for Nathan Collins

Brentford manager Thomas Frank clearly appreciates the fact that Nathan Collins is a rangy defender that can play a bit of ball, too.

The German did wonders with The Bees, last season, when they took plenty of big-name scalps at the G-tech Community Stadium and ended up coming ninth in the league. Brentford are hoping to consolidate that position and the acquisition of Collins would be a smart move.

The opening Brentford offer of £20m was rejected so the club returned to Wolves with £22m up-front and another £3m in potential add-ons. Wolves are holding out for £25m but it has been reported that personal terms have already been agreed.

Nottingham Forest have now made their interest known, albeit at the 11th hour. Steve Cooper is facing a busy summer of incomings and outgoings after leading his side to Premier League survival, and is said to want Collins at the City Ground. West Ham were said to be monitoring the situation but no bid has been forthcoming from the Hammers.

To us, though, the clear choice is Brentford. Collins would fit in well with the style of play at Brentford, and he would also benefit from the strong set-piece game that Frank leabs on, to complement a team that know how to stroke the ball about, too.

It is encouraging to see two teams going for Collins, but a move to West London should do him the world of good.

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