Wolves ‘ready to move’ for Aston Villa target with huge £40m price tag

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly ready to move for highly-rated Burnley defender Nathan Collins.

Collins enjoyed a strong first season in the Premier League despite the Clarets’ relegation and numerous clubs are keen to snap him up. Wolves, Aston Villa, Leicester City and Leeds United have already been linked with Collins.

Wolves are keen to sign at least one new centre-back after losing Romain Saiss at the end of his contract. Wolves offered Saiss a new deal, but the Moroccan opted to move to Turkish club Besiktas instead.

Republic of Ireland international Collins could bolster Bruno Lage’s options according to reports, with Wolves supposedly ready to ‘move’ for the 21-year-old. However, the same report suggests Burnley - now managed by Manchester City icon Vincent Kompany - could demand up to £40 million for Collins.

Burnley paid £12m to sign Collins from Stoke City last summer and stand to make a healthy profit if they cash in this summer. Wolves are unlikely to spend that sort of cash on Collins though, and the club have been reluctant to sign players domestically in recent years due to inflated transfer fees.

Mike Jackson, who oversaw Burnley's final fixtures after Sean Dyche's sacking, said of Collins: "I think he is improving all the time. He has this fearless thing as well, which I think all good players have. They have to have a belief, it is not an arrogance, he wants to improve."