IRISH DEFENDER NATHAN Collins looks set for a move to Burnley after the Premier League side reportedly agreed a fee of €14 million (£12m) with Stoke City.
20-year-old Collins has made 47 appearances for the Potters since his debut in April 2019 and became their youngest-ever captain at 18.
The Ireland U21 international is highly regarded, with a number of top flight clubs such as Manchester United linked with his signature in the past.
Burnley are believed to have had two bids for the Leixlip native turned down in January.
However, John Percy of The Daily Telegraph and Andy Jones (in The Athletic) are reporting that the Clarets’ latest offer has been accepted by Stoke, who are managed by former Shamrock Rovers and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.
Collins is primarily a centre-half who can also fill in a right full-back.
Burnley currently have two Irish defenders in Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne on their books, although the latter’s future at Turf Moor looks uncertain as he has yet to sign a contract extension.
Robbie Brady is also set to leave the club this summer.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Hope the transfer works out for him. The second very promising CB from Leixlip now with Andrew Omobamidele. Would love to see him get a good run in the Premier League.
@Eoin Fitzgerald: good move for him, can see dyche give him the opportunity to play at the top level and become a regular starter.
@Pauly Kels: not sure if this is a good move . Unless Tarnowski is sold off, 20 yr of age he needs games. Kevin long didnt get too many games last year
@O Riada Keith: Totally agree – Dyche seems to like the settled partnership he has. Long has always looked capable when one or the other is injured but never seems to get a decent run! Hoping Collins won’t be his replacement instead. If I’m being optimistic though – €14m is a good chunk of change for Burnley so might mean they want to play him!
@Pauly Kels: not sure it is. Burnley have a solid partnership at CD. Would have like to see him go to villa or the like.
@The Grumpy Pundit: I suspect that Burnley anticipate Tarkowsky or Mee being sold in the next season or two. Word was that Dyche was sounding out Joe Worrall from Forrest …so as a Red, I’m glad that’s unlikely now.
@O Riada Keith: tarkowski is been sold every summer according to the rumour mill? But agree with the poster below it will be hard breaking up that CD partnership, but he is only 20 and should get a better opportunity playing regular with Burnley than say sign for a top 6 club? Can see the comparison with long, he’s a good pro and used sparingly by dyche and seen as a squad player, Collins is a excellent prospect though. Hope it works out well.
@O Riada Keith: Mee is 31, you’d think Collins is being bought as a long term replacement for him.
@The Grumpy Pundit: I’m sure long signed a new contract last year . I highly rate Long . I was sure hed move on for game time.
If he was english be 28 million
@Shane Canning: so would i