By Azeem Siddiqui

29th Jun, 2022 | 9:10pm

Leeds United signing Burnley defender Nathan Collins will strengthen backline significantly

Leeds United are interested in signing Burnley defender Nathan Collins in the ongoing transfer window, according to the Sun.

Jesse Marsch has made the defence his priority for this summer as he seeks to improve the second-worst backline in the recently concluded Premier League season.

The Whites have already secured three summer signings and the Burnley defender could be the next one on the line, although it could cost £20million.

The 21-year-old has three years left on his current deal at the Turf Moore and is valued at £8.6m according to the Transfermarkt.

Safety Blanket

Burnley under Sean Dyche has transformed some outstanding defenders throughout the years and Collins was one of them.

Even though he didn’t start regularly for the Clarets, he was influential to Dyche’s team whenever he made an appearance after being signed up from Stoke.

In the entire 2021-22 Premier League season, the Ireland international made 19 appearances and made 1.5 tackles per game [Whoscored].

Even though Collins’ preference is to play as a central defender, he can also play as a right-back if there are injury concerns within the squad.

Leeds had the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League in the recent season.

Only relegated Norwich City conceded more goals than the Whites and much of that could be boiled down to the absence of Liam Cooper.

However, it is important Marsch doesn’t put Leeds’ Premier League status at risk once again without getting his defence sorted. Therefore, the signing of Collins would be perfect for the club as he would become the safety blanket for the attackers to create to thrive on.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle