Leicester City transfer bid ‘expected this week’ as they enter defender race

Leicester City are showing a summer interest in Burnley defender Nathan Collins alongside midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to reports.

City are on the lookout for a centre-back this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to add reinforcements to his squad. The City boss will want to avoid a similar situation to last season where an injury crisis led to City being down to just one fit senior centre-back for a period of the campaign.

Central midfielder Hamza Choudhury was even drafted into central defence for the FA Cup third round clash vs Watford in January. Wilfred Ndidi was also used as emergency centre-back cover.

The returns to fitness of Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans eased concerns at the end of the season, but, there is uncertainty over the future of Caglar Soyuncu who has just one year remaining on his deal. City are prioritising the signing of a young up and coming centre-back this summer.

According to the Sun both City and Wolves have shown the ‘strongest interest’ in Burnley Central defender Collins with ‘bids expected this week’. The report says that Burnley are resigned to losing the player this summer but are looking to make a profit on the £12 million that they paid last summer.

Collins played a total of 22 times in all competitions last season, the 21-year-old stood in for the injured Ben Mee in the second half of the campaign as he established himself in the Claret’s first team. He has also impressed for the Republic of Ireland in the recent international break, scoring his first international goal against Ukraine last week.

City and Wolves are not the only clubs to be credited with an interest this summer. Leeds United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have also been linked with the