It has been reported today that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford are locked in advanced negotiations over the signing of Ireland's Nathan Collins.
Collins (22) has fallen out of favor at Molineux and under Wolves' boss Julen Lopetegui. Craig Dawson, a signing from West Ham, has taken the Lexlip native's starting place over the last few months.
The Wolves player is unlikely to play a significant role under Lopetegui in the upcoming season, and according to reports, the club will sanction his departure to raise much-needed funds.
The Ireland defender signed for Burnley for €23.80 million, and it is said that he can leave for a fee of €29.03 million.
"Brentford's initial offer of €23.22 million was turned down, and recent reports suggest that their €25.54 million bid has also been rejected," says The Daily Mail.
Brentford hopeful of completing £25m deal for Wolves defender Nathan Collins 🔴 https://t.co/J4vf3qnP8h
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) June 22, 2023
Speaking about his future this month, Collins explained that Lopetegui wanted to utilize Dawson's experience as the club tried to steer itself away from the relegation places. Collins only featured in seven of Wolves' remaining 23 games as Wolves managed to escape relegation to the Championship.
“It is obviously tough to take, but it is obviously 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," said the 22-year-old to reporters in Ireland's training camp this month.
“The first half of the season was tough for everybody. As a team, I don't think we played to our best. When Lopetegui came in, I thought I was playing really well, and at Christmas, we got a few good results, but he just wanted a chance. There was nothing I could do, so no, I wasn't overly critical [of myself].
“It was obviously a frustrating time, and I did look at what I could be doing better, but I had good people behind me, good backing, and they were honest with me, saying I was just unfortunate, so there was nothing more I could do really."
