Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are all competing to sign Brentford defender Nathan Collins before the summer transfer window closes on September 1, 2025. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has attracted significant Premier League interest due to his strong performances as Brentford’s captain and centre-back.
Collins joined Brentford from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2023 for a club-record fee of £23 million. Since then, he has made 78 appearances and become a consistent presence in defense, contributing four goals and six assists. Despite a shaky start, he has improved steadily, earning the captaincy and gaining recognition for his concentration and defensive ability.
The interest from the three Premier League clubs comes amid their pursuit of defensive reinforcements. Liverpool, in particular, are reportedly in need of defensive depth, with a young Giovanni Leoni recently signed but lacking experience compared to Collins, who has already made 71 Premier League appearances. Tottenham and Manchester United also see Collins as a valuable addition to their backlines.
Brentford, however, are hesitant to part with their captain given the summer’s prior departures from the squad and the importance of Collins to the team’s stability. The transfer battle is intense, but interest is said to be "surging," making a deal for the Irish defender a likely focal point in the coming weeks.
Collins’s career path has moved from Stoke City to Burnley, then to Wolverhampton before Brentford, accumulating over £56 million in combined transfer fees. His progression has caught the eye of major clubs, highlighting his rise as one of the Premier League’s notable young defenders.