Robins reportedly among the clubs keen on Luton star Collins
BRISTOL City have joined a clutch of clubs interested in signing Luton Town striker James Collins on a free transfer, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claim Collins, who is out of contract at Kenilworth Road, is emerging as an in-demand free agent following his strong goalscoring campaign for the Hatters.
Luton are yet to publish their retained list with the 30-year-old among 10 players out of contract next month, along with defender Sonny Bradley, who also has Championship interest.
Collins scored 13 goals in 42 games in all competitions this term - including at Ashton Gate during Luton’s 3-2 comeback win in April - and has hit double figures in each of his four seasons for Luton from League Two level through to the Championship.
The report indicates Middlesbrough are presently the most likely destination for the frontman with Cardiff City and Bristol City also interested, while the Telegraph stated in March that Derby County and Preston were monitoring his situation.
Boro manager Neil Warnock is in the market for strikers this summer with Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher set to leave the Riverside and doubts over Chuba Akpom’s future.
Famara Diedhiou is a target for the club but their interest in Collins is likely to push him down the pecking order as the Republic of Ireland international’s wage expectations are significantly lower.
From City’s perspective, Diedhiou’s exit - with the Senegalese among 11 players leaving BS3 means Nigel Pearson will need to sign at least one striker for next season.
The Robins have Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo plus promising young stars Louis Britton, Tommy Conway and Sam Bell in reserve but the departure of Diedhiou does free up significant room in the wage bill to land a strong free agent in that position.
Collins is a tall, powerful, hardworking and mostly-reliable striker who has consistently performed for Luton over the last two seasons, even if his goalscoring return appears modest.
The Hatters ranked 17th for key passes per game (that is a pass that leads to a shot) in 2020-21 with 10.4 and 24th in 2019-20 on 6.8, with Collins not having the luxury of consistent quality service like many of his peers.
The Robins, of course, have problems of their own in that department with City among the poorest attacking sides in the Championship in the recentlyconcluded season and 24th for shots per game (7.8) and key passes (5.9).