If they weren't aware before this, Ireland fans will know how special of a prospect Nathan Collins is after the recent international break.
The Kildare native played every minute in each of Ireland's four games over the last couple of weeks, putting in some excellent performances. His goal against Ukraine has already gone down as one of the greatest ever scored in a green (or in this case orange) jersey.
Ukraine 0-1 Ireland - Nathan Collins puts the visitors in front with a sensational individual goal having delivered a 'masterclass' of defending in the first half hour #rtesoccer #UKRvIRL
💻 https://t.co/w5JRG3O0hS
📺 https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE
📻 https://t.co/QHSJNYlfx8 pic.twitter.com/y0ulAtOn6J— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 14, 2022
In truth, Collins had been showing his potential long before those fixtures. He was in brilliant form for Burnley over the second half of the season, earning rave reviews for his performances at the back as the team battled relegation.
Unfortunately, they would not be able to beat the drop.
However, it seems as though the Irishman may have done enough to ensure that he will be in the English top flight next season.
Burnley set massive Nathan Collins asking price
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the 21-year old in recent weeks, although it now looks as though it will be a shootout between two teams. The Irish Sun are reporting that Wolves and Leicester City are both in the running to sign the player.
Wherever the defender does end up, he certainly won't come cheap.
The Lancashire Telegraph claim that Burnley are seeking a fee of £40million to sell Nathan Collins this summer.
There is an acceptance that the player will leave in the months ahead, with recently appointed manager Vincent Kompany already targeting former St Pat's man Luke McNally as a potential replacement. Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, Burnley's main centre backs for the last number of seasons, will also leave in this window.
Collins was signed for a fee of £12million from Stoke City in 2021, with the club set to make a sizeable profit upon his sale. However, £40million does seem a tad unrealistic.
In saying that, the deal that does see him move is likely to eclipse the highest fee ever paid for an Irish player. Robbie Keane's £19million move to Liverpool in 2008 currently sets that benchmark.
Regardless of where he ends up, Nathan Collins certainly has a massive future ahead of him.
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