Reported Arsenal and Burnley target Nathan Collins may be better off staying at Stoke City and playing regular first-team football in the Championship, Republic of Ireland U21 coach Jim Crawford told The 42.
For Potters fans, February 2nd can’t come soon enough.
A six-game winless run has already threatened to scupper Michael O’Neill’s promotion charge and, as the performances take a downward turn on the pitch, Stoke are facing a battle in the transfer market too.
The Sun (24 January, page 59) reports that Arsenal and Crystal Palace are watching 19-year-old Collins like a particularly hungry hawk.
Burnley, meanwhile, see the towering teenager as a long-term replacement for contract-rebel James Tarkowski.
The Clarets failed with an opening offer of £4.5 million this week, with Stoke understood to be demanding in excess of £10 million (Burnley Express).
“Nathan, with regards to potential, he could be a top centre half,” Crawford said of Collins, who has four caps at U21 level. “It’s one thing having potential, but (it’s another) having the attitude, and he certainly has the attitude.
“He has a fantastic work ethic about him and he’s always willing to learn, I see him as a real leader. I think he’s going to be a top, top player.”
Collins has featured in 19 of Stoke’s 26 Championship matches in 2020/21.
Game time would obviously be much harder to come by in the Premier League and, at the age of just 19, spending weekend after weekend sat on the sidelines would not exactly aid his development; a point Crawford is keen to make.
“If he did make a move and he was not playing every week, I don’t know what that would do with regards his confidence, because looking at him play every game he plays with Stoke, he’s developing very quickly and he’s a big player with them,” Crawford added.
“The decision is his ultimately and the decision of whether he plays every week is (down to) the team that brings him in.
“I’ve always said to players if you’re playing first-team football and happy, just keep doing what you’re good at, because eventually, something will move for you.”
Stoke legend Lou Macari, meanwhile, believes the Potters should be demanding a minimum of £20 million for Collins (Sentinel); a fee that could make him the most expensive defender ever to depart the Football League.
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