Rob Edwards says a decision to stay or leave is Ryan Giles’ to make after admitting Luton have had an “interesting offer” for the wide man, believed to be Hull City.
The 23-year-old arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer as Town’s record signing, reported to be around the £5million mark.
Giles had spent last term on loan at Middlesbrough where he impressed and had been known to Town boss Edwards due to the Wolves connections and because the player had a loan spell at Telford under the manager.
Giles has been linked with a move away this month with Championship Leeds United and Hull linked. The Tigers are thought to be leading the way, with a reported loan switch and an option to buy for £4.5million at the end of the campaign.
Edwards said: “We’ve had an interesting offer from a club but at the moment the ball’s sort of in the player’s court at the moment as well, so I don’t want to go into it too much at this point.”
Giles started as a first choice in Luton’s first-ever Premier League campaign, getting the nod for the first three games, but he’s only made two league starts since in just 14 appearances for the club in all competitions.
That was largely because of the form of Alfie Doughty, who has established himself as one of the top flight’s best wide men.
Asked if he’s hopeful that Giles would remain at Kenilworth Road, Edwards said: “There’s obviously a human being to think about in the situation. Look, I’ve got to do what’s right for the football club as well.
“There’s always a person involved in a situation like this as well. So, they can be quite delicate, but I’m confident that, between us, we’ll make the right decision.
“The position that we’re in, we want people to really be here and fight for us as well. I’ve got a really good relationship with Gilo, which goes back quite a long way.
“I think it’s right that we listen to his side of it as well and can make a real mature decision between us all. We’ll get to that point.”
Edwards also confirmed that recent transfer links with West Brom’s Kyle Bartley and Coventry’s Ben Sheaf are just rumours.
On the 32-year-old Albion defender he said: “That one’s just rumours. There’s no truth in that one. I did see that.”
On the Blues ace, Edwards said: “(He’s) a really good player but there’s nothing more to comment on at the moment.”
So far, this transfer window Town have signed Reading defender Tom Holmes and loaned him back to the League One club for the remainder of the season. Royals team-mate Nelson Abbey was also wanted by the Hatters, but he signed for Greek side Olympiacos yesterday.
Edwards said: “There was a little bit in the Nelson Abbey one (transfer move). We weren’t able to quite get that one over the line. He’s felt that a different challenge was the right thing for him, but good luck to him. You can’t win them all.”
