Barnsley goalkeeper Brad Collins has emerged as a target for Championship side Coventry City, according to Alan Nixon.
The Sky Blues are reportedly looking to add first-team competition to Ben Wilson, as Mark Robins aims to build a promotion-winning side.
Who is Brad Collins?
The 26-year-old shot-stopper has made more than 100 appearances for the Tykes, since joining on a four-year deal from Chelsea in 2019.
Collins made 26 Sky Bet League One last term, but lost his starting role at Oakwell to Harry Isted, as Barnsley suffered play-off final heartbreak to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Born in Southampton, Collins joined Chelsea in 2010, before turning professional in 2014. He was the first-choice goalkeeper for the U18 side which won the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup in the 2014/15 season.
Senior Experience
An initial move into men’s football arrived with a loan spell in League Two with Forest Green Rovers, making 39 appearances as Rovers narrowly avoided relegation from the fourth tier.
It was an eventful first season in senior football, as on-loan Collins was “cleared of any wrongdoing” by the FA after he was accused of spitting at Lincoln City’s Sean Raggett in a 1-0 defeat.
In August 2018, the 6ft ‘keeper joined League One side Burton Albion until January, but after stating his desire to remain at the Brewers, the deal was extended until the end of the season.
Barnsley snapped up the then 22-year-old stopper on a four-year deal, with an option for a further one-year extension, which was triggered earlier this year.
Alan Nixon now reports that Mark Robins is keen to bring him to the Coventry Building Society Arena and wants to agree a fee, however, the South Yorkshire outfit would need to replace him first.
Play-off finalists Coventry have been busy in the transfer market, with Jay Dasilva arriving on a free transfer and Everton’s Ellis Simms, a target for Ipswich Town, joining for an undisclosed fee.
Writer’s View
Collins is unlikely to remove the stranglehold that Wilson has as Coventry’s undisputed number one, after the 30-year old kept a record number of clean sheets last season. Potential game time could play a role in his decision, as he will want guaranteed minutes at this stage of his career.
With former loanee Harry Isted now joining Charlton permanently, Neill Collins’ side must decide whether his namesake will return to his starting berth, or cash in before his contract expires next summer.
