Manager Rob Edwards has said Luton have travelled out to Argentina on a scouting mission, but the club has not made a bid for Oscar Zambrano after it was reported that a bid of $4.5million had been rejected.
The 19-year-old Ecuadorian Under-20 international midfielder plays for Serie A Primera Etapa Liga de Quito in his homeland but was on Copa Sudamericana duty where Town’s chief scout Phil Chapple travelled.
Speaking to Ecuadorian radio station Mach Deportes, director of Liga de Quito, Esteban Paz, is reported to have said: “There is interest from Luton Town for Óscar Zambrano. In Argentina we had a short meeting, the offer is $4.5 million, but it does not meet our expectations. In the negotiation we must be careful with Oscar’s rights and resources, and we have told him so.”
But today, when asked whether there was anything in the the report, Town boss Edwards said: “Not the bid, as far as I know. We have travelled out there, not just to see him (Zambrano) but to look at a number of games and do a bit of scouting work out there as well.
“I suppose the reports were correct in elements of it. But I think that’s a real positive for us. We’re starting to spread the net a bit wider.
“Ten years ago we wouldn’t have been doing that. It’s important that we keep moving forward and progressing. Recruitment is a huge thing so it’s important that we keep our finger on the pulse.
“We’re looking at where the best young players are.”
