Liverpool have shown interest in signing Nathan Collins, the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international and newly-appointed captain of Brentford, as part of their efforts to strengthen their central defence in the ongoing transfer window. Collins joined Brentford from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2023 for £23 million and has since become a key player, featuring in every Premier League minute last season and making 77 appearances with four goals and six assists. His performances have attracted attention from several top clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, Brentford is reportedly very reluctant to sell Collins this summer. The club has already seen multiple important players and their manager depart recently, and with Collins named captain just days ago, the club considers him indispensable. Brentford’s sporting director Keith Andrews is said to be unwilling to approve another significant sale, and the club is expected to put up 'not for sale' signs to retain Collins, who is viewed as a "born leader" vital to Brentford’s squad stability.
On Liverpool’s side, while they need central defenders after selling Jarell Quansah and facing uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate’s future, sources suggest they find Collins a difficult target to secure. Instead, Liverpool are more likely to pursue Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is considered a more attainable option due to his contract situation. Palace may be forced to sell Guehi if a new deal is not agreed upon, making him a more feasible transfer target than Collins at this time.
In summary, Liverpool’s interest in Nathan Collins is genuine but faces strong resistance from Brentford, who cannot afford to lose another key player after a summer of departures. Thus, Collins’ exit to Liverpool seems improbable this summer, with Guehi emerging as a more practical defensive target for the Premier League champions.