Soccer

Nathan Collins set to sign for Brentford in record Irish deal

Liverpool are keen on Gabri Veiga and Roméo Lavia

Nathan Collins: the Republic of Ireland defender is set for his second big transfer in a year. Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images
Nathan Collins: the Republic of Ireland defender is set for his second big transfer in a year. Photograph: Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images
Mon Jul 03 2023 - 18:37

Brentford have agreed a €26.5m deal to sign defender Nathan Collins from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Republic of Ireland international moved to Wolves from Burnley for €24m last summer. The 22-year-old central defender will thus break his own record for being the most expensive Irish player ever.

Collins made 31 appearances for Wolves last season as they finished 13th in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, Manchester City have opened talks over a deal for Josko Gvardiol after the Croatia defender informed RB Leipzig that he wants to join the treble winners.

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Gvardiol has been identified as Pep Guardiola’s primary transfer target this summer and it is understood personal terms have already been agreed with the 21-year-old’s representatives. Leipzig are believed to want more than €100m – a world record fee for a defender – for the player whose contract expires in 2027, although the German club’s sporting director Max Eberl confirmed on Monday that Gvardiol had notified them of his desire to move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

“Josko and his advisers have submitted the wish to us for a transfer to Manchester City,” Eberl told Leipziger Volkszeitung newspaper. “We are in talks with Manchester. There is nothing more to say about it at this moment.”

Josko Gvardiol has told RB Leipzig he wants to move to Manchester City. Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images
Josko Gvardiol has told RB Leipzig he wants to move to Manchester City. Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images

Leipzig have already sold several of their leading players this summer, with Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai completing his move to Liverpool on Sunday for €69.8 million. Defender Konrad Laimer has joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer, and France international striker Christopher Nkunku has moved to Chelsea for more than €60m.

Paris Saint-Germain are pushing to beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to the signing of Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga.

Chelsea have targeted Veiga as a replacement for Mason Mount, who is set to undergo a medical before joining Manchester United. The Celta midfielder emerged as one of the best young players in Europe last season and his contract contains a €40m release clause.

Liverpool and City have looked at Veiga, who plays predominantly as a No 6 or a No 8, while there is interest from Barcelona. However, PSG are are keen to strengthen in midfield and are intensifying their efforts to sign Veiga, who scored 11 goals and made four assists in 36 La Liga games last season.

Chelsea’s priority is to secure a deal for the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moisés Caicedo. They hope that €93 million will be enough to land the Ecuador midfielder.

Chelsea are also interested in Roméo Lavia, who is expected to leave Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League. Southampton want about €50 for Lavia, who is being targeted by Arsenal and Liverpool. The 19-year-old could be too expensive for United.

Newcastle have signed the Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali for an undisclosed fee on an initial five-year contract.

The 23-year-old arrives at St James’ Park from Milan having represented his country 14 times at senior level and captained the side at the European Under-21 Championship finals this summer. – Guardian