Liverpool are in the race to sign €35m Bundesliga star

Liverpool are in the race to sign €35m Bundesliga star Liverpool Monitor Nnamdi Collins as January Defensive Plans Take Shape Liverpool are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nnamdi Collins, with Fussball News reporting that the Bundesliga side’s 22-year-old is being tracked by multiple Premier League teams. The interest comes at a point when Liverpool’s defensive planning is coming into sharper focus. Andoni Iraola has made an encouraging start since taking charge in June, but recent results have underlined why reinforcements could enter the conversation before long. A 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, in which Liverpool failed to record a shot on target, was followed by a 3-2 loss to Fenerbahce that brought an end to their perfect start in Europe. Those setbacks do not automatically force action in January, but they do sharpen attention on squad balance and long-term succession. Virgil van Dijk is moving towards the final year of his contract next summer, while Joe Gomez is also edging closer to the end of his current deal. Julian Ward, back in place as sporting director, is expected to be heavily involved in any decisions around that area of the squad. Nnamdi Collins on Liverpool Radar Collins fits the profile of a player who would appeal to recruitment teams. He is capable of playing at centre-back and right-back, he has age on his side, and he is already gaining experience at a good level in Germany. The report states that scouts have watched him for club and country, including during Germany Under-21 duty against Georgia. At this stage, though, the situation is described as monitoring rather than active negotiation. Liverpool have already been linked with Nico Schlotterbeck and Murillo, but Collins appears to sit in a slightly different bracket. He is younger, versatile, and potentially a player who could develop further within a new environment rather than arrive as an immediate headline signing. Photo: IMAGO Eintracht Frankfurt Stance and Transfer Value Any suggestion of a winter move looks difficult. Frankfurt are not planning to sell in January and are protected by a contract that runs until June 2030, after Collins extended in December 2024. That gives the German club a strong position in any future discussions. The valuation is also notable. Fussball News places Collins at around €35m, while previous reporting in Germany has indicated the figure could rise nearer to €40m. For Liverpool, that means this is one to watch rather than one that currently feels advanced. Our View This feels like a sensible name to keep in mind. Liverpool need to think ahead in defence, and the key word there is ahead. It is not only about fixing a bad week or reacting to two poor results. It is about building the next version of the back line under Iraola. Collins has a lot going for him on paper. He is young, he offers positional flexibility, and he is already playing in a demanding league. That kind of profile usually appeals because it gives a coach options and gives the club room for growth. If Liverpool are going to invest serious money, there has to be upside as well as immediate usefulness. The obvious question is whether January is realistic. It probably is not, especially with Frankfurt under no pressure to sell and a long contract in place. A summer move would make far more sense if interest develops into something concrete. There is also the wider point about Liverpool’s priorities. If Van Dijk’s future still needs clarity and Gomez’s situation remains unresolved, planning cannot be delayed too long. Collins may not be the only answer, and he may not even be the leading option, but he looks like the type of target a smart recruitment team should be assessing carefully. If this one moves beyond scouting, it will be worth paying serious attention.