The Hatters should sign these three players as they aim to bounce back to the Premier League
It is set to be a summer of change for Luton Town after relegation from the Premier League, with numerous high-profile exits and arrivals likely in the upcoming transfer window.
Rob Edwards’ men did better than many expected them to in the top flight, despite relegation, finishing 18th as the best of the promoted sides and going down with their heads held high.
Key men Ross Barkley, Teden Mengi, and Alfie Doughty all performed so well that they have been linked with returns to the Premier League this summer, meaning Edwards may have to replace each of them, as well as the likes of Luke Berry and Fred Onyedinma who will depart the club upon the expiration of their contracts.
Elijah Adebayo will be available for transfer at the right price, according to GIVEMESPORT, after netting 10 goals in 27 top-flight games last season, while Gabe Osho is still in contract talks but may depart after three years at Kenilworth Road.
With everything considered, Edwards and his recruitment team are certainly set to be busy in the coming months, and these are three deals that we think they should complete this summer.
Ki-Jana Hoever
Right-back Ki-Jana Hoever is finally beginning to realise the potential that saw Liverpool bring him to England in 2018 after he had impressed in Ajax’s youth teams.
He made four senior appearances for the Reds before joining Wolves in 2021 for a reported fee of £9m but struggled to break through at Molineux and joined Stoke City on loan in January 2023.
Hoever became a hit at the bet365 Stadium under Alex Neil, registering four goals and one assist as his successful spell prompted the Potters to loan him in again for the full 2023/24 season.
The 22-year-old was a near ever-present under Neil and then Steven Schumacher last campaign as he made 44 appearances in all competitions, netting four goals and notching five assists and playing a key role in their Championship survival.
Luton would be an ideal destination for Hoever for a number of reasons – for one, he would undoubtedly suit Rob Edwards’ 3-4-2-1 formation as he could be deployed as a wing-back and allowed to flaunt his notable attacking prowess.
He is also an upgrade on the departing Onyedinma, and would allow Daiki Hashioka and Chiedozie Ogbene to play in their preferred positions, rather than fill in at right wing-back.
Hoever is also likely to be made available on loan again this summer by Wolves – his contract is not up at the Molineux club until 2027 but Gary O’Neil is presumably set to continue to prefer Nelson Semedo and Matt Doherty next season.
Tyrhys Dolan
Tyrhys Dolan had his Blackburn Rovers contract extended in May but could still leave Ewood Park with Luton expected to renew their long-standing interest in him, according to The Mirror.
Dolan joined Rovers in 2020 from Preston North End and has been a key figure in their side since, playing 36 league games and registering five goals and four assists in the 2023/24 season.
| Tyrhys Dolan Blackburn Rovers career record | |
|---|---|
| Games | 163 |
| Goals | 19 |
| Assists | 17 |
| Stats as per transfermarkt | |
The 22-year-old is a diminutive forward that can play across the front line and still has bags of potential that could be unlocked by Rob Edwards, while the Hatters will need added attacking depth this summer if Elijah Adebayo leaves after his strong debut Premier League campaign.
Luton and Edwards previously expressed an interest in Dolan’s signature in the January window, according to Sky Sports News, but his game is probably more suited to the Championship for now, so it makes sense for them to be linked again after relegation.
Krystian Bielik
Krystian Bielik is a solid Championship midfielder and is unlikely to want to stay at Birmingham City after their relegation to League One last season.
He left Derby County to make the step back up to the second tier with the Blues last summer, and made 36 league appearances in 2023/24 in defensive midfield, while also filling in at centre-back, demonstrating his versatility.
Luton will need a midfield enforcer to provide competition for Marvelous Nakamba next season, and the Polish international would be a low-risk acquisition that would allow them to allocate funds to other, more important, positions.
Bielik is 26, so would also add some much-needed youth to an aging Hatters midfield – Nakamba, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, and Jordan Clark are all past 30 and may not be as effective as years gone by in the coming season.
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