A report from the Sun that James Collins is in-line for an “amazing” return to the London Stadium could be wide of the mark, according to a club Insider.
The Sun claims that Collins is set for a new one-year deal after West Ham have struggled to gel this season.
However, ExWHUemployee, a solid source of West Ham information, claimed that while the 35-year-old is currently training with the first team, no offer has been made for him yet.
He’s not short of teams that do want him though – Bristol City have made a “serious” offer and Premier League Brighton are also lining up a “serious offer” if he doesn’t get a deal with West Ham.
This is what he is hoping although no offer has been made for him! He has been training with the first team and trying to impress. Brighton are also lining up a serious offer if he doesn’t get a deal with us and with Bristol City also having made a serious offer too ? https://t.co/t7NgDERKnn
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 23, 2018
OPINION
So, it looks like James Collins is set for a return to the Premier League this season. He was treated shabbily by West Ham after 10 years at the club – getting told he was not getting a new contract by email – but it looks like that’s been smoothed over now. Relations are obviously good as he’s training with the first team and looking for a new deal. It sounds like a return to West Ham would be his preferred option, but Brighton are ready to pounce with what’s been called a “serious offer”. That would surely blow Championship teams out of the water, although Bristol City and QPR are also said to be interested in Collins. At 35, he obviously thinks his body can still play at the highest level and he was a solid performer for the Hammers last season. Their defence could do with a steadying hand but manager Manuel Pellegrini might feel like it’s a step backwards. It would be a fairytale end to his career but we can easily see Brighton pouncing and getting a short-term deal done for him.