Liverpool tracking Nnamdi Collins as £29m Eintracht Frankfurt defender emerges on right-back shortlist

Liverpool are clearly doing due diligence on Nnamdi Collins, and the logic is straightforward. According to Fussball News, the Eintracht Frankfurt defender is attracting serious attention from Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, with regular scouting checks across Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Germany Under-21 matches.

That is what sensible clubs do. They identify profile first, then price, then pathway. Collins fits the modern brief. He is 22, quick, athletic, comfortable in possession and capable of covering two positions, right-back and centre-back. Frankfurt signed him for €1m in 2023 and now value him at €35m, around £29m. That is a steep rise, though hardly a surprise given how the market behaves when a young defender starts showing top-level physical tools and tactical flexibility.

Collins fits Liverpool transfer profile

Liverpool’s need at right-back is not hard to understand. Trent Alexander-Arnold left in 2025, Jeremie Frimpong has not delivered consistently, and Conor Bradley is still working his way back after a serious knee injury. Ronald Araujo has impressed during his loan spell and could yet become a permanent solution, though his broader value may be greater in the middle of the defence.

Photo: IMAGO

That is where Collins becomes interesting. He is not simply cover. He is the kind of player who gives a coach options over a long season. He can start wide, tuck in centrally, defend space and recover quickly. For Andoni Iraola, that matters. His teams demand intensity, repeat sprints and defenders who can survive one-against-one situations without panic.

Eintracht Frankfurt set clear asking price

Frankfurt are under no pressure to sell cheaply. They want €35m, and ideally they would keep Collins until next summer. That gives them leverage. Liverpool, if they move, would need to decide whether this is a market opportunity now or a battle worth postponing.

Manchester United and Chelsea being in the frame changes the conversation too. Once several Premier League clubs circle, the fee tends to harden and wages usually follow. That does not mean Liverpool should walk away. It means they need conviction. If the recruitment staff believe Collins can grow into a first-choice option, £29m is manageable in today’s market.

Liverpool right-back search has to be ruthless

This is where Liverpool have to be cold-blooded. Sentiment solves nothing. Frimpong’s struggles, Bradley’s fitness management and Araujo’s positional value all point to a squad that still needs clarity on the right side. Collins may not be the finished article, though he looks like a player with upside, resale value and tactical relevance.

If Liverpool are serious, they should act like it. Scout heavily, test Frankfurt’s resolve and decide whether Nnamdi Collins is a development signing or the next starting right-back. There is a big difference, and smart clubs know it before the bidding starts.

Our View

This one makes plenty of sense. Liverpool do not need another glamorous transfer story, they need practical solutions. Right-back has been messy for too long. Frimpong has not settled, Bradley cannot be overloaded, and Araujo feels like someone who could end up being more important in central defence anyway. So a 22-year-old who can handle both roles immediately catches the eye.

The fee feels reasonable too. £29m for a defender with Bundesliga experience, recovery pace and room to improve is not outrageous in this market. If anything, it is the kind of deal Liverpool used to make before everyone started chasing obvious names at inflated prices. The key is whether the club see Collins as genuine competition or as another body for the squad. If it is the latter, forget it. Liverpool need players who can push their way into the side.

There is also something appealing about the profile. Fast defenders matter. Defenders who can play are even better. Defenders who can do both and cover two positions are how you build a proper squad. Collins sounds like a player who could grow quickly under Iraola if the coaching is right and the pathway is clear.

No one should pretend this is a guaranteed success. Plenty of athletic defenders look good until the pressure rises. But the structure of the deal, the age, the versatility and the obvious need in the squad all line up. If Liverpool’s interest is real, this is one worth pursuing properly.