Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank could look to raid his former club Brentford after missing out on Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who is now bound for north London rivals Arsenal - with reports suggesting that some of their budget could be used to land Republic of Ireland international Nathan Collins to shore up their defensive contingency.
The report by CaughtOffside states that Tottenham are 'stepping up their efforts' to sign Collins from Brentford after his impressive four-year spell in the Premier League. The Republic of Ireland colossus has four years left on his Brentford deal, having only signed for the Bees two years ago from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his improved form in landing the west London club a top-half finish in the Premier League last time out has forced interest from various elite top-flight clubs.
Report: Tottenham 'Stepping Up Their Efforts' to Sign Nathan Collins
Any transfer is complicated. Brentford have already lost manager Thomas Frank to Spurs this summer, as well as star man Bryan Mbeumo joining Manchester United, whilst pacy forward Yoane Wissa is on the trails of Newcastle United, who had a bid rejected for his services on Wednesday.
However, Spurs are thought to be 'upping their efforts' to sign the Ireland international for a potential move to north London, with Frank being keen to work with his former defender again.
Contacts are expected to take place 'imminently' for the former Burnley star, with excellent competition for Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven being sought-after by the Danish gaffer.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Nathan Collins has two goals in 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Other clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool are thought to be interested, though United's financial situation means that they would need to sell players before making a bid, putting them at a disadvantage - whilst Marc Guehi is higher up the Reds' shortlist as Arne Slot looks for added defensive recruits.
That means that Tottenham is the most likely destination for Collins, who has already made over 175 appearances in English football since his debut for Stoke City back in April 2019 - including 116 in the Premier League for Burnley, Wolves and Brentford.
At just 24, Collins is primarily a ball-playing centre-back who has a lot of room for improvement at a young age, though he can also play at right-back when needed - and with five top-flight goals to his name, the back of the net isn't alien to him, which could prove advantageous over the course of Tottenham's Champions League and Premier League campaign in the next year.