Highly-rated defender who has already namechecked Liverpool 'wants' transfer

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Reports suggest that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Eintracht Frankfurt and Germany defender Nnamdi Collins, who has already made it clear he would welcome the moveLiverpool made a triple raid on the Bundesliga in the summer. And, if reports are to be believed, the Reds could be returning to the German top flight when the transfer window reopens.After winning the Premier League title, the champions agreed a double deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5million and Florian Wirtz for £116m, before buying Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m.And it's one of Ekitike's former Frankfurt team-mates who is reportedly catching the eye of the Reds, who continue their push for a top-four finish this evening (Tuesday) when they travel to Wolves (8.15pm).READ MORE: Arne Slot explains how Jeremie Frimpong could have made major difference to Liverpool's seasonREAD MORE: Julian Nagelsmann explains 'very complicated' transfer situation that led to Liverpool moveReports emerged last week that Liverpool, along with Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, have all been scouting Nnamdi Collins, a strong, fast and aerially dominant right-back or centre-back.And now a fresh report from Sky Sport in Germany states that the 22-year-old want to leave Eintracht in the summer and has recently changed his agency as he prepares to take the next step in his career.And the report adds that the Reds are among the interested parties, claiming they have been scouting Collins.The versatile defender, who also recently played at left-back, started his career at Borussia Dortmund and was subject of a failed bid by Chelsea before making the move to their Bundesliga rivals, who are now managed by former Liverpool winger Albert Riera.Collins' contract runs until 2030 and reports suggest that Frankfurt's sporting director Markus Krosche would be looking for a fee in the region of £35m.The player himself has already openly admitted his desire to make the move to the Premier League and play for one club in particular.Speaking in September, Collins said: "I simply think the Premier League is fantastic, especially Liverpool."You should always set yourself high goals; that’s why we all started playing football."It remains to be seen whether the Reds' interest in Collins will go beyond keeping an eye on his progress.But there is no doubt that defence is an area of the field they are likely to continue to strengthen this summer.Liverpool have already agreed to sign 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet for a fee of up to £55m.

The centre-back is spending the rest of the season at Rennes before he moves to Merseyside in July. However, he is unlikely to play much football before then after sustaining a shoulder injury.Last summer the Reds signed another highly-rated young centre-back, Giovanni Leoni, for £26m from Parma.

Modern-day Liverpool legend, Andy Robertson, is in the same situation, and came close to leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.The Reds are better stocked at right-back but while Frimpong is fit again after an injury-hit debut campaign, the sidelined Conor Bradley will not play again this season, and head coach Arne Slot has consistently been forced to play midfielders, like star man Dominik Szoboszlai, out of position.A player with the versatility of Collins, then, would certainly tick a lot of boxes. One, perhaps, to keep an eye on.Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.