However, despite persistent rumors that the player visited the North West, including the Whites Hotel of the club, yesterday, the player’s close sources claim the move is “progressing” and expected to be finished before tonight’s 11 p.m. deadline.
The 26-year-old has not yet received word about a medical examination. Last week, League One rivals Charlton Athletic made an offer for him, but it was rejected.
Simultaneously, Wanderers’ £600,000 offer was rejected; according to local media, Bristol Rovers had demanded a transaction that was nearly £1 million.
Collins would become the most expensive single acquisition since Jay Spearing was acquired in from Liverpool in if the deal goes through, which currently appears to be quite likely.
“It’s in the club’s hands,” he said. “We are in charge of that situation so until the valuation is met then he’ll still be our player. In terms of him being unavailable for us today, that was his decision.
“We understand it to a certain extent, as much as we don’t like it, but then there will need to be a quick solution in the next few days because the window closes late Thursday.”
Ian Evatt is due to give his pre-Barnsley press conference at 3pm today, which will also provide an opportunity to update on the fitness of Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal, both of whom had scans on calf and Achillies injuries, respectively, on Wednesday.
Wanderers are highly likely to look for at least one defensive signing before the deadline to strengthen their hand, with Will Forrester still a couple of weeks away from fitness after a hamstring injury and Gethin Jones playing in the Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea on Friday.
If the Socceroos fail to progress, Jones could be back in contention for a place in the squad next week, possibly even as early as the trip to Cambridge United on Tuesday night.
Wanderers could also send two of their younger players out on loan today.
Luke Mattheson and Nelson Khumbeni are understood to be in line for a move to gain experience, with both players wanted by clubs in League Two.
Leave a Reply