Luton defender closes in on £2m move to French side, says report

Luton Town defender Christ Makosso is reportedly closing in on a permanent move to French top-flight side Auxerre.

According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, the Hatters have reached an agreement in principle with the Ligue 1 club over a deal for the centre-back worth around £2million, including performance-related add-ons.

If completed, the move would bring an end to Makosso’s 18-month association with the Kenilworth Road club, in which he struggled to establish himself in the first team once Jack Wilshere joined the club as manager in October.

The 22-year-old Congolese international played in Wilshere’s debut defeat against Mansfield but was then restricted to just one more League One Luton appearance before he linked back up with former Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield at Oxford United, where he spent the second half of last season. The loan deal included an option to buy, but Oxford decided not to exercise it and Makosso returned to Luton after the U’s were relegated from the Championship.

Makosso was signed from Belgian side RWD Molenbeek in January 2025 and became something of a fan favourite at Kenilworth Road after making his debut against arch-rivals Watford in February that year. He went on to make 13 appearance that season.

Luton are expecting a busy summer at Kenilworth Road as manager Wilshere has already indicated that some players under contract will be moved on during the transfer window, saying after the retained list was published that the club wanted to “move in a different direction” as it builds a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

Town have already signed a centre back in Bolton captain George Johnston this summer, which would suggest opportunities will be even more limited for Makosso, while key midfielders Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh have both committed their futures to the club with new long-term contracts.

A move to Auxerre would see Makosso return to French football, having previously played for Sochaux. It wouldn’t be the first time a Town defender has moved from Luton to Auxerre after Gabriel Osho swapped Bedfordshire for Burgundy in 2024.

Neither Luton nor Auxerre has made any official comment about Makosso.