Liverpool are reportedly running the rule over Brentford defender Nathan Collins, but a deal during the current transfer window is 'highly unlikely'.
For all of their summer spending, the Reds are yet to bolster their central defensive ranks, despite Jarell Quansah's £30m sale to Bayer Leverkusen and the uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate's future.
Konate is now in the last year of his Liverpool contract and is understood to be a prime target for Real Madrid, who are banking on the France international running down his deal and leaving on a free in 2026.
In addition, the injury-plagued Joe Gomez is currently sidelined with a new Achilles problem, and the only other recognised centre-back in Arne Slot's squad is Rhys Williams, who has failed to kick on since his 2020-21 heroics.
As a result, it is not impossible to envisage Liverpool bringing in a new centre-back before the September transfer deadline, and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi was formerly reported to have been their number one target.
Brentford 'unwilling' to sell Liverpool-linked Collins
Brentford's Nathan Collins pictured on February 26, 2025
However, the Reds have not reached a breakthrough in talks for the England international just yet, and they are now understood to be facing renewed competition from one of their Premier League rivals.
Now, GIVEMESPORTclaims that the Premier League champions are keeping a close eye on 24-year-old Collins, who has just been promoted to Brentford captain following Christian Norgaard's move to Arsenal.
The Republic of Ireland international has gone from strength to strength in the Premier League since his top-flight breakthrough with Burnley in 2021-22, and he did not miss a single league game in the 2024-25 season, registering an eye-catching two goals and five assists in the process.
Brentford have Collins under contract until 2029 with the option of a further two years, though, so a summer exit for the centre-back is said to be 'highly unlikely', as the Bees have shown no interest in parting ways with their new skipper.
Furthermore, Liverpool's interest is only 'tentative' at this stage, and the Reds have not yet touched base with Brentford over a deal for Collins, who has also not given any indication that he wants to leave.
The 6ft 4in defender signed for the Bees in a £23.4m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023, and he has now contributed four goals and six assists from 77 appearances for the club in all tournaments.
Can Liverpool get by with their current centre-back options?
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk on April 6, 2025
A lack of depth at centre-back sticks out like a sore thumb for Liverpool, who will be in deep trouble if one of Konate or Virgil van Dijk picks up a moderate or severe injury in the 2025-26 season.
As versatile and solid as Gomez can be in defence, the England international's fitness record makes him anything but reliable, while Williams's career has stalled over the past few years due to his own injury woes.
Slot does have a couple of emergency options at his disposal; Wataru Endo has experience playing as a centre-back, while Andy Robertson has been deployed in that role in pre-season.
However, failing to add to their defensive ranks would be an incredibly risky move, so maybe the Reds would be better served pursuing a new centre-half rather than Alexander Isak for the remainder of the window.
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