Derby County striker James Collins is a target for Shrewsbury Town this summer, with the player’s former club keen on a reunion.
According to the Shropshire Star, Salop are considering a move to try and lure the Rams’ number nine back to the New Meadow as they aim to bolster their attacking options.
It is quite frankly an audacious effort with Derby themselves extremely limited in their forward department and manager Paul Warne making no secret of his intentions to bring in a couple of fresh faces to strengthen depth ahead of the new season.
Collins hit 12 goals during the last campaign, also registering two assists, in 52 appearances for the Rams.
A steady, if underwhelming, season for the former Luton Town man as former strike partner David McGoldrick stole the limelight with his impressive performances at Pride Park.
Now without McGoldrick, Collins is seemingly the man to lead the line for Warne’s men moving forwards.
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Conor Washington signed for the club last month to provide competition for a starting spot, but Derby are still short of options in the final third so sanctioning an exit for the Republic of Ireland international would not fit the agenda.
Speaking on Collins in October, Warne labelled the striker a ‘leader’ and carried on to explain the relationship he has with the 32-year-old.
“He is a leader,” said the Derby boss.
“He adds something to our team because he is a winner. It is difficult to give people that, but he has definitely got it.
“James is a good trainer and I enjoyed pushing him past his limits. For me, and this is who I am, I preferred playing for people that I liked and respected and probably respected more than liked.
“If I had a relationship with them then it helped me. I am not saying everybody is like that but I just think James is my cup of tea for what he brings to the game and his actual mentality.
“He just wants to win at everything. I like it and the more time I spend with him one on one, the more I see it if that makes sense.”
Could Collins go?
Shrewsbury may well fancy a return for their former man, but a shedload of movements would surely have to happen in order for Collins to depart the East Midlands this summer.
The Rams kick-start their League One campaign on home soil this Saturday against Wigan Athletic, it would be a big shock if the striker was not in from the off.
All things considered, it is a safe bet to assume this one will not happen.