(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media/Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 10 August 2025 8:00, UK

Liverpool will face a difficult task to sign newly-appointed Brentford captain Nathan Collins this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

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Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about Liverpool’s “surprise” interest in the centre-back.

Collins played every single minute in the Premier League for the Bees last season and was appointed as Brentford’s new captain by Keith Andrews on 3 August, after Christian Norgaard’s departure to Arsenal.

Liverpool are in the market for central defenders this summer after Jarell Quansah‘s own move to Bayer Leverkusen, but sources have told Football Insider that Brentford are unlikely to let the Irishman leave.

Keith Andrews has had a difficult first summer as Brentford’s new manager (Credit: Imago)

Brentford have already lost Norgaard, Bryan Mbeumo and manager Thomas Frank this summer, and Football Insider sources have said that Andrews will be reluctant to sanction yet another key transfer.

Sources have told Football Insider that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi remains the far more realistic centre-back target for Liverpool this summer, particularly with Collins’ new appointment at Brentford.

Football Insider revealed on 2 August that Brentford are consigned to losing another key player in the form of Newcastle United target Yoane Wissa, making their stance on Collins’ exit very understandable.

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Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that even if Wissa doesn’t leave the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford are loathe to lose Collins this summer and will try to ward off Liverpool’s interest.

“It’s a bit of a surprising link, not just because it’s Nathan Collins – he enjoyed a very good season for Brentford last year”, he told Football Insider.

“There’s no doubt Liverpool are looking light at centre-back having sold Jarell Quansah, and the ongoing speculation about Ibrahima Konate’s long-term future.

“As it stands, Marc Guehi is the more likely target due to his contract situation at Crystal Palace.

Liverpool want to beat Newcastle to Marc Guehi’s signature (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

“I can’t see Brentford letting Collins go, having seen so many other star players leave this summer – he’s just been made captain – I just don’t see how Brentford can afford to let him go.

“I don’t even think they would be open to selling Collins, and it does seem the player isn’t pushing for anything just yet.

“Brentford will be putting up the ‘not for sale’ signs on Nathan Collins, because they can’t really afford to lose another key player in that team.”

Brentford have already lost key figures to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United this summer, but Liverpool are unlikely to get in on the act as Wissa pushes to join the exodus with a move to Newcastle.

Alexander Isak remains Liverpool’s primary target this summer (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Newcastle and Liverpool’s transfer windows have become intertwined as Magpies striker Alexander Isak adopts a similar stance to Wissa in order to force through a move to Anfield with huge ramifications.

Guehi is locked in a tug-of-war between Liverpool and Newcastle as his Palace contract enters its final 12 months, and with lots of moving parts in the deals to take Wissa, Isak and Guehi to new clubs, there’s a long way to go until everything falls into place.
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