Liverpool have reportedly made contact over a possible move for Hugo Ekitic’s former teammate.
Download the official KOP Empire app to get all the latest and biggest updates – straight to your phone! ABOUT APPLE AND GOOGLE PLAY
There could be significant changes to the Reds’ backline in the coming months, with both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson nearing the end of their contracts and reports suggesting that FSG are apparently willing to consider a potential bid for Joe Gomez.
advertise
The 28-year-old is extremely valuable to Liverpool as he can easily fit into any position in the back four and another versatile defender appears to have emerged as a leading candidate to replace him should he leave in the summer.
Liverpool have ‘checked’ Nnamdi Collins
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs to “check out” Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins, who was one of his team-mates at Frankfurt last season.
The Germany international’s “fitness, recovery speed and versatility” make him an “increasingly attractive option” for potential suitors, although the Bundesliga side are in a strong negotiating position with the 22-year-old’s contract expiring in 2030.
advertise
As a result, Deutsche Bank Park would need to make a “significant offer” to Deutsche Bank Park hierarchy before they can consider cashing in on the defender.
(Photo by Alex Green/Getty Images)
If Liverpool sign Collins, he could become Gomez 2.0
Collins has strong similarities to Gomez, with his ability to play at centre-back or right-back when necessary, with a ratio of 2:1 in those positions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and that versatility is an immediate green flag.
His former Frankfurt boss Dino Topmoeller has previously praised him as “a little machine” who “brings a lot of energy to the pitch” with his all-round style of play (bulinews.com), and bringing those qualities to Liverpool will make him an instant fan favorite at Anfield.
advertise
Overall, his underlying performance numbers aren’t particularly impressive compared to other Bundesliga defenders this season, although he does rank highly in some metrics (as Fotmob’s data shows).
Football Transfers website cites Collins’ current market value as just €20m (£17.4m), but a versatile 22-year-old defender who regularly plays for teams in the top half of the Bundesliga and has signed a four-year contract extension with his current club will certainly demand a higher transfer fee.
How much of a rebuild Liverpool need defensively will depend on which players leave in the summer. If the Reds have multiple outlets at the back, Frankfurt’s versatile player could become an increasingly attractive option, covering both positions and effectively eliminating the need for a transfer.