Luton Town are gearing up for the new season with ambitions of an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Hatters face heightened expectations in the Championship, reflecting on their previous achievements in the division.
Rob Edwards shoulders the responsibility to deliver success, aiming for a serious promotion push.
Despite possessing a talented squad, Luton may undergo some adjustments with the potential departure of one or two players.
Reports suggest Luton Town is interested in securing the services of Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi during this summer transfer window.
Luton Town is ahead of Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is expected to be a highly-discussed player in this transfer window, with indications suggesting he may leave Crystal Palace on loan.
The winger remained with the Premier League side last season following a promising loan spell at Charlton Athletic. However, injuries and stiff competition for places limited his playing time.
While Rak-Sakyi aims to make an impact during pre-season at Palace, several Championship teams are interested in securing him on loan for the upcoming season.
🔝🗑 on the volley!
What a hit from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi 😮💨#EFL | @CAFCofficial pic.twitter.com/18lPPX16tE
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) February 5, 2023
Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers are both interested in securing a loan deal for Rak-Sakyi from Crystal Palace, with Luton reportedly leading the pursuit.
Luton believes they can play a pivotal role in Rak-Sakyi’s development and are prepared to secure him on loan for the entire 2024/25 season.
While negotiations are ongoing, if Luton succeeds in signing Rak-Sakyi, it could potentially impact the future of current Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene.
Luton Town signing Rak-Sakyi could spell trouble for Chiedozie Ogbene.
Luton Town secured Chiedozie Ogbene on a free transfer last summer following his departure from Rotherham United.
The Irish winger had been a standout performer for the Millers over several seasons, which contributed to his move to Luton.
During the Premier League campaign, the 27-year-old played a significant role for the Hatters, featuring in 30 matches, with 20 of those appearances as a starter.
Under manager Rob Edwards, Ogbene was considered a key player and justified this role by scoring four goals, slightly below his expected goals (xG) of 4.25.
Chiedozie Ogbene proved to be a persistent threat in front of goal, averaging 1.2 shots per game, although he missed a significant chance that could have boosted his goal tally.
In terms of assists, Ogbene didn’t quite match his goal-scoring output, despite creating five big chances and making 0.9 key passes per game. According to Sofascore.com, he managed only one assist throughout the season.
With Luton Town now pursuing a loan deal for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Ogbene faces potential competition for his place in the team. It’s unlikely that Luton would bring in the Crystal Palace winger just to have him sit on the bench; instead, they would expect him to feature regularly, which is why Palace is considering sending him out on loan.
This situation suggests that Ogbene may face increased competition for playing time if Rak-Sakyi joins Luton, potentially impacting his role in the team.
Leave a Reply