Newcastle United hailed after source’s update on signing Nathan Collins
Noel Whelan has hailed Newcastle for building sustainably towards a “top-six spot” amid interest in young defender Nathan Collins.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, backed the 21-year-old to go from “strength-to-strength” at St James Park if a deal can be struck.
A recruitment source told this site on Friday (27 May) that Newcastle United and Leeds United are plotting moves to sign Burnley defender Collins following the Clarets’ relegation.
The Republic of Ireland international, who is contracted until June 2025, made 18 Premier League starts for the Lancashire side during the 2021-22 campaign.
Collins joined Burnley last summer (2021) in a deal worth a reported fee of around £12million.
Football Insider has also revealed (31 May) that Newcastle are set to battle Man United and Man City for the signature of Leicester’s 18-year-old centre-back Ben Nelson.
Whelan hailed the Magpies for targeting “long-term investments” as opposed to “quick fixes”.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s like Arsenal. Newcastle are looking for longevity, they’re building towards that top-six spot rather than going for broke right now.
“They’re putting their money into long-term investments, rather than just looking for the quick fix. That’s what they’ve got to do.
“Eddie Howe is more than capable of building a really formidable squad. We’ve seen that with some of the additions he’s already made.
“I’m absolutely on board with the signing of Collins.
“He was unlucky to go down with Burnley and he’ll only go from strength to strength at Newcastle.”
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