Peterborough United have had a dismal start to their League One campaign. The latest reports of Archie Collins’ move away could unsettle the fanbase even further.
Lauded as one of the key performers so far this season, Collins has reportedly been listed for transfer. Darren Witcoop has reported that the 26-year-old could be the subject of a departure if other players are sold by Posh. Collins has made 116 appearances for Peterborough since his arrival from Exeter City in 2023.
Despite the initial shock factor of this transfer listing, it makes sense from a financial point of view. Collins is out of contract at the end of the season and Peterborough are looking to cash in on the midfielder before he leaves on a free.
The 26-year-old has played in all seven of Peterborough’s matches this season, scoring their only goal in a one-game EFL Cup run. This came in a 2-1 defeat away to Accrington Stanley. Collins is primarily a holding midfielder, but throughout his career has scored 21 goals in 343 appearances across three teams. Beginning his career at Exeter, Collins then moved to Weston Super Mare for a seven-game stint and returned to his boyhood club for 220 more games. Peterborough snapped him up in 2023 and are now looking to part ways with their number four.
So far this season, Collins has had a tackling success rate of 100%, with 1.2 interceptions per 90. The midfielder is a valuable member of the squad and could demand a low seven-figure fee if the right club comes in for him.
Writer’s View
The frustrating element of this deal for Peterborough fans, si that the decision to allow Collins to leave has come right at the death of the summer window. Deadline Day purchases are often felt as rushed and desperate, so any reinforcement for this late offload could be inadequate compared to what Collins can and has offered the club.
Collins will possibly be looking for a move to a higher-level League One side. With Peterborough languishing at the bottom of the table, promotion candidates will be looking to lure the midfielder away from the Weston Homes Stadium.
