Brentford have reportedly agreed a club-record £23million fee with Wolves for the transfer of defender Nathan Collins.
The Bees have had two bids worth £20.5million and £22million rejected by Wolves last week. Thomas Frank is keen to add a Premier League-proven centre-back to his ranks and it looks like he is finally about to get one.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Nathan Collins is ready to undergo medical tests with Brentford in the next few days after a deal with Wolves has been agreed.
Collins, 22, only joined Wolves last summer from Burnley for £20.5m. He was a regular starter under Bruno Lage but fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Craig Dawson from West Ham in January. Despite falling out of favour under Julen Lopetegui, who helped the Wanderers avoid relegation, the Republic of Ireland international racked up 31 appearances across all competitions.
Other Premier League clubs such as Nottingham Forest and West Ham were also thought to be interested in Collins, but Brentford appear to have won the race for his signature.
Nathan Collins to Brentford—Good addition?
Brentford are keen to build on their ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season. They have already signed goalkeeper Mark Flekken and forward Kevin Schade this summer. The west London side have also recently acquired the services of young South Korean defender Kim Ji-soo, who will initially link up with the Brentford B team.
Having lost Pontus Jansson earlier this summer, Thomas Frank wants to replace him by signing a central defender with Premier League experience. And it looks like Frank’s wishes are going to be fulfilled, with Brentford close to signing Nathan Collins from Wolves.
Collins has got a taste of Premier League football with both Burnley and Wolves, and his arrival at Brentford would boost Frank’s options at the back. He will provide Brentford’s defence with physicality and solidity, whilst bringing the required ball-playing abilities to thrive in Frank’s system. While Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee performed very well last season, the west Londoners will need added depth heading into the 2023/24 campaign.
In addition, Collins’ ability to operate at right-back should hugely benefit Brentford, particularly when Frank opts to switch his 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation to a 4-3-3. The Republic of Ireland international is highly rated across the country, and at 22, he has a long way to go to unlock his massive potential.
As a result, if the Bees manage to get a deal for Collins over the line, it would be a huge coup.
