Aaron Collins insists he’s more than happy at Bristol Rovers and intends to see out the remainder of his two-and-a-half year contract at the Mem as transfer discussion around the Welshman starts to build.
Collins’ phenomenal return of 13 goals and 10 assists in 25 games - the only player across the Premier League and EFL to have double figures in both categories - is understandably going to draw a certain amount of attention on the 25-year-old.
There has been no concrete interest in the No10 but having finished last season as Rovers’ top scorer with a career-best haul of 18 in all competitions, and with a total this term set to eclipse that, clearly he’s a player on the up who naturally can’t be ignored by clubs higher up the food chain.
Barton addressed the subject in the wake of last weekend's win over Cheltenham Town when he said that should anyone wish to pursue interest in Collins they'd be needing to spend north of £4million, akin to what Burnley paid MK Dons for Scott Twine.
But having signed a new contract last summer until 2025, Collins is in no mood to entertain thoughts of a move away from BS7, as he’s never enjoyed his football as much as he is now.
“I’m happy here, I think people can tell that from the smile on my face, I’m playing well and I’m here for the next two and a half years,” Collins said.
“It’s been my best year to date. It’s been a great year, for the club as well as me individually, and I’ve fully enjoyed being here as well as fully enjoyed my football. For me, I’m at an age - 25, where a lot of people say strikers come into their prime - that I’m going to be hitting my prime and I can go even further with goals, assists and take this club even further.”
As well as his own hard work, talent and application, Collins is clearly thriving under the coaching of Joey Barton and his staff, drawing performances and moments out of him that he’s never been able to do previously in his career.
Collins is settled in the area with his hometown of Newport just a short drive away and hopefully the Wales set-up will soon take notice of his ability. Quite simply, he is in no doubt that Rovers is the best club for his development and desire to succeed, which includes firing the Gas into the Championship.
“I’m here at Rovers now, just doing my job,” Collins added. “My job is - I signed a new contract at the start of the season, because I was happy here and because the club wanted me to be here and, now I’ve just got to go and do my job which is score and assist and hopefully get this club to places they haven’t been before.
“I can’t complain about anything at the moment, I’m enjoying my football as much as I ever have. I don’t need to look good anywhere else, I don’t need to think about the future, I just need to concentrate on now, and do what I need to do.”
Collins has already hit his pre-season assist target while is only seven shy of what he hoped for in terms of goals. At his current rate, should he remain injury free, the Welshman is projected to finish the campaign with 23 goals and 18 assists, numbers that will likely see him top both respective statistical categories in League One and, most importantly, would go a long away to securing Rovers’ place in the top six.
“I went into the season full of confidence and I wanted 20 goals and 10 assists and I’m very much on track for it,” Collins added. “Obviously, I’ve completed the assists, but I’m going to push for plenty more. With the goals, I’m top goalscorer and top assist (maker) and my aim now is to go and win both of those prizes, carry on the season and help the lads for that promotion push.
“That’s the goal now. We can push this year and go and make history again. 21 games left, we didn’t start last season until round about now, so the lads who were here last season know if we get a run going and confidence is in the camp then we’re all excited to find out what will happen.”
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