Adebayo enquiry from Wayne Rooney’s D.C. United but Jones rules out USA

Elijah Adebayo
Elijah Adebayo. Photo by Liam Smith

D.C. United have made an offer for Luton hotshot Elijah Adebayo, but Town boss Nathan Jones has said the striker will still be a Hatter unless a “substantial Premier League offer” comes in. 

The American Major League Soccer side are now managed by Wayne Rooney, who last season, as Derby County chief, watched the 24-year-old score against the Rams in a 2-2 draw at Pride Park, which was one of his 17 goals in 42 appearances. 

Reports emerged this week that England’s all-time leading goalscorer was preparing a $5million bid from across the pond for Adebayo, but Luton have rebuffed an enquiry. 

Elijah Adebayo
Elijah Adebayo in action against West Ham. Photo by Liam Smith

Jones said: “With the greatest of respect, it’s not the time for Elijah to venture to America. There’s been an enquiry, but it’s not the time. 

“Elijah’s next step really should be looking at the Premier League. With the greatest of respect to any other league in the world, that’s what he should be looking at. 

“So, unless we get a substantial Premier League offer, Elijah will continue to play for Luton Town. 

“And he’s nowhere near his ceiling. He’s had a good season last year and he has to maintain that now. 

“He has to back that up, and once he backs that up, I’m sure he’ll have a number of top-class suitors, which is a position we want to get him to, because either we’ll be in with a shout of getting there, or he will. That’s what we do here.”

Cauley Woodrow
Cauley Woodrow. Photo by Liam Smith

Adebayo will have more competition for places this term, with the signings from Barnsley of Carlton Morris and, former Luton academy product Cauley Woodrow. 

Jones said: “We get players at the right time. That’s what we believe. That’s what the art of recruitment is.

“Cauley had a fantastic season when he got to the play-offs (with Barnsley). Last year was a bit disjointed for him, and we felt he could add more quality to us and he obviously felt he needed a fresh challenge, so everything was aligned. 

Carlton Morris
Carlton Morris. Photo by Liam Smith

“With Carlton, I think there’s so much more from Carlton. He’s not got double figures yet in the Championship, but with every attribute that you need. 

“I met him, really enjoyed meeting him, liked him and he’s done well against us. 

“He scored and we watched him. Barnsley were better when he was in the team, so we really like him and we believe we’re going to get the best out of him. 

“If we do that then we’ve got a proper player on our hands. 

“I don’t think, with the greatest of respect, he hasn’t hit the heights he should’ve, yet.”

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