Sources: Leeds United and Newcastle United in race to sign Nathan Collins
Newcastle United and Leeds United are plotting moves to sign Burnley defender Nathan Collins, Football Insider understands.
Burnley are facing a battle to keep hold of the Republic of Ireland international, 21, following their relegation from the Premier League.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Newcastle and Leeds are both looking to sign a centre-back and they see Collins as someone with "huge" potential.
Collins, who joined Burnley from Stoke last summer (2021) in a £12million deal, has a contract until the summer of 2025.
After beginning the season out of the side, injuries to James Tarkowski and Ben Mee enabled the defender to finish his debut Premier League campaign with 19 top-flight appearances, including 18 starts.
As Burnley were relegated on the final day (21 May) thanks to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle Collins gave away a penalty with a handball that led to the opening goal.
That result meant Leeds United ensured their Premier League status with a win away at Brentford with the same result while Newcastle finished in 11th.
Interim boss Mike Jackson told the Burnley Express (22 May) that Collins cannot be blamed for his side's fate as he had been "immense" this season.
The Clarets are now managerless but Vincent Kompany left his position as Anderlecht boss earlier this week (25 May) and is set to take over at Turf Moor, according to reports.