Edwards says Luton have not made transfer bid for Oscar Zambrano

Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards. Photo by Liam Smith

Boss Rob Edwards says that Luton have not made a bid for Ecuadorian Oscar Zambrano, despite reports of a deal in deadlock over the asking price. 

Reports have emerged that the defensive midfielder’s club LDU Quito want him to waive his 15 per cent stake in a potential £5.5million transfer fee, and that Town have turned to an agency to broker terms.

It has also been said that Manchester United and Bournemouth have now both entered the race to sign the 19-year-old who is touted as the next Moises Caicedo, the £115million Chelsea man who also came up through the academy ranks at Ecuadorian Serie A side Independiente del Valle before his move to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Edwards said: “We have been linked with him but it’s news to me that it keeps cropping up. It’s not something that I’ve been pushing from my side, so we’re aware of him, a really good, young player, but I don’t think there’s too much in it.”

Asked if a bid had been made by the Hatters, Edwards said: “No. There’s not been, no.”

Town are short a defensive midfielder after it was revealed last week and Marvelous Nakmaba had undergone knee surgery to fix a meniscus injury, with a timeframe not yet known on his recovery.

Asked if that position is one he wants to fill during the transfer window, Edwards said: “We’ve got good options still there. Obviously, Ross (Barkley) and Sami (Lokonga) have been playing and playing well now for the last few games.

“We’ve got Jordan Clark, Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) and Luke Berry who are good options and can come in and provide good competition. But we do miss Marv. He gives us something different and something that’s really, really unique in that position. 

“I’ll say it again, we have the scope to improve the group or get back if we feel there’s someone that can really help us and make us better. 

“If that is not achievable for us, then I love what we’ve got in the building right now and I’m more than happy to go with what we have.”