4 players Luton should target this summer
The Oak Road Hatter team has identified four players that Rob Edwards and Luton could set their sights on this summer ahead of a crucial season back in the Championship.
Luton's lineup could be looking very different come the weekend of August 10/11th and the ORH contributions have chosen a player each who they think could be useful additions.
Jamie Castle: Cameron Archer - Aston Villa
Cameron Archer tussling with Gabe Osho at Kenilworth Road in Sheffield United’s 3-1 win in the Premier League
There’s been lots of talk from fans about wanting bravery, or “aggressiveness”, from 2020 in this transfer window. This may mean different things to different people, but for me this means having the confidence to re-invest any funds we get from our larger sales on the “best-in-class” options available to us.
On the assumption that we lose either Morris or Adebayo for a (decent) fee, then getting someone to fill their shoes immediately is absolutely imperative. Joe Taylor’s had a great season first in League Two and then League One, but in my opinion isn’t quite ready to take a starting shirt. Cameron Archer is somebody that set the Championship alight for six months under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, playing dynamic front-footed football. Understandably his £18.5m move to Sheffield United hasn’t gone anywhere near as well. Different style of play, different expectations. There’s still a top level player in there though. At 22, he’s a great age and has so much potential, and he’s scored six goals in 11 games for England’s U21 side.
Archer now finds himself at Aston Villa after a compulsory buy-back and will likely find himself on the transfer list again this summer, now that his club have Champions League football to contend with. If they accepted £18.5m for him last summer, I think we’ll be able to get him for a snip below that and, if we can, the prospect of him playing in one of the wide forward roles alongside either Morris or Adebayo plus Chong/Ogbene, is pretty damn frightening for Championship defences.
Finley Cannon: Ethan Erhahon - LINCOLN CITY
Ethan Erhahon (#6) celebrating Lincoln City’s penalty shootout win at Bramall Lane in the EFL Cup last season.
With Ross Barkley and Sambi Lokonga unlikely to be at Kenilworth Road next season, the midfield is going to need a refresh. Jordan Clark is a very capable and technically gifted midfield option, while Marvelous Nakamba is a standout defensive midfielder, however both are now 30-years-old and won't be able to play every game.
The club has a successful track record of looking to lower divisions when it comes to recruitment and another player they should be targetting is Lincoln City's Ethan Erhahon. The 23-year-old midfielder has been crucial for the Imps since signing and has excelled under Michael Skubala in the second half of the 2023/24 season as Lincoln climbed the table, narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the final day.
Erhahon featured 43 times in League One, starting on every occasion, often playing as the only holding midfielder in a very attacking lincoln side. The Scottish midfielder is used to playing and thriving in front of a back three and would likely fit right in at Championship level.
Erhahon 2023/24 League One stats - Sofascore
Appearances - 43
Touches per game - 52.9
Accurate passes per game - 33.8 (83%)
Tackles per game - 2.5
Ball recoveries per game - 7.3
Following Joe Taylor's successful loan at Lincoln during the second half of last season, there could be credit in the bank with the Imps, making them more inclined to do business with Gary Sweet and the Luton board. However, it may take some convincing to get Erhahon to depart Lincoln after he laid out his hopes for next season to the Linc's Jamie Johnson following Lincoln's final day defeat to Portsmouth.
Alex Oakhill: Ben Sheaf - Coventry City
Ben Sheaf applauding the Coventry City faithful after exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United in the semi-final.
With the departure of Ross Barkley seemingly imminent, and the chance of resigning Albert Sambi Lokonga looking slim, midfield is where the reinforcements are need for the Hatters. If the Town want to mount a serious challenge for an automatic promotion spot then a big statement signing is needed.
Ben Sheaf would be the perfect player to come into the centre of Rob Edwards’ midfield and help Luton back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Sheaf is the compete package, adept defensive work combined with superb on the ball abilities, with a long range goal in his locker as well.
It would need a club record transfer to secure his services, and competing against Premier League clubs for his signature will be a challenge, but what an addition it would be.
lewis Jones: Freddie Potts - West Ham United
Freddie Potts as a substitute for West Ham United.
Freddie Potts, brother of current Town player Dan Potts, is a player we should consider following his impressive loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers. Potts is under contract at West Ham until 2026, so a fee would be required. However, given his importance in a key position, this is an area where we should utilise our new financial resources.
Potts has gained experience with the West Ham first team, including two brief appearances in the Europa Conference League. These should not be underestimated, considering he was behind England's holding midfielder, Declan Rice, at the time. Despite this, a move away seems feasible. The Hammers currently have Downes, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, and Soucek in their ranks, making it difficult for Potts to break into the first team.
Turning our attention back to Luton, our current midfield options are on the older side, with Clark turning 31 in September, Nakamba (30), and Pelly (30). While experience is vital, youth is also necessary – enter 20-year-old Freddie Potts. The Barking-born midfielder can play centrally or in a deeper holding role, boasting outstanding passing and vision – attributes we will miss with the departures of Lokonga and likely Barkley.
At Wycombe, Potts primarily played as a box-to-box midfielder, a role he can readily assume given the current vacancies in our midfield. Despite his box-to-box role last season, Potts possesses impressive defensive qualities: he won 60.6% of his duels, 69.7% of his aerial duels, and made 1.77 interceptions and 1.83 tackles per 90 minutes, ranking in the 85th percentile or higher for these metrics.
Potts's blend of youth, versatility, and talent makes him a promising addition to our squad, and a player we should pursue.
