Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Luton are in a “position of strength” to ward off summer transfer interest in Thelo Aasgaard, despite the Norwegian national coach saying it will be “difficult” for the midfielder to play for his country while in League One with the Hatters.
Aasgaard made the switch from Wigan Athletic to Kenilworth Road in January for a reported £3million fee, stepping up from the third tier to the Championship, though Town’s relegation means an immediate return to the division.
It was Luton’s second successive fall through the trap door after dropping out of the Premier League and, while that put them in a small group with three other clubs that suffered back-to-back demotions out of the top-flight, they will have one more season of around £39m in parachute payments to help mount a promotion challenge.
“I think all clubs that get relegated from any division would always fear losing their best players,” Goodman told Football League World.
“It’s been that way since the beginning of time and there’s no doubt that Thelo Aasgaard has had a brilliant end to the season for Luton.
“He was one of the main protagonists, dragging them, sort of, from being detached to having their fate in their own hands on the final day of the season (with) some brilliant performances.
“And, no doubt, there will be teams from higher up the chain looking at him. But, if you’re Luton Town, I should imagine that, financially, you’re not in a position where you have to sell him, and I would also think that he would have plenty of years left on his contract. So, a position of strength lies with the club.”
Aasgaard was one of the bright spots in Town’s end of season charge that put Championship survival in their own hands on the final day of the season, but a crushing 5-3 defeat at West Bromwich Albion saw them relegated.
Such was Aasgaard’s contribution for the Hatters that he earned a first senior Norway cap, in which he scored and assisted on his debut. But national boss Stale Solbakken has raised concerns about what a year in League One could mean for the midfielder’s international future.
“It was a calculated risk. Luton were in a difficult situation when Thelo changed clubs, but it goes without saying that it is difficult to play for the national team if you play in League One. He knows this,” Solbakken told Norwegian outlet Nettavisen Sport.
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