Luton manager Rob Edwards says that no bids have been tabled for Town players despite a rumoured transfer to Torino for Teden Mengi.
Reports emerged from Italy that negotiations are under way and that the defender had agreed personal terms, while Turin newspaper La Stampa said that the Serie A side were working on an initial loan deal with the option to buy for €5-6million – but not according to the Hatters boss.
He said: “As we stand right now, there’s been loads of noise, there’s been interest and the rumour mill goes, doesn’t it? It can be unsettling for people and I don’t think it helps, but we’re in receipt right now of no live offers for any members of our squad
“There’s been interest and loads of talk and not just about him, and it’s less than ideal, it really is, but as we stand right now, no. That stands on everybody.”
Mengi was missing from the midweek Carabao Cup exit at QPR, with a slight groin issue, but Edwards expects the defender to be available for the R’s Championship trip to Kenilworth Road tomorrow night, having trained today.
That offers hope that the defender will still be a Hatter come Saturday morning, but asked if Mengi has expressed a desire to leave Luton, Edwards said: “T’s always maintained to me that if he’s here then he’s fully with it. We’ve seen when he’s been on the pitch but I think like any player in the world, if there’s an option there or an opportunity to potentially play at the highest level then there’s an interest there as well, which is understandable. So that’s not just him (Mengi).
“That’s cool, we get that, we’ve always said that as well, but it has to be right for everybody. And I’ll reiterate again, there’s no live offers, bids on anyone right now. Only talk.”
Asked if he keeps players in the loop if there is transfer interest, the Luton boss added: “I try to be honest. But then it works differently with everyone as well. Some people have more than one person in their ears and there’s a lot of noise, a lot of noise. It can be really difficult for the players as well.
“It’s a big challenge but we try to be as open and honest and I encourage that. I’ll try and do that and I’ll try to encourage that from them (players) as well.
“If they need anything or they want to discuss something then the door’s always open. Obviously then, it’s not always fully my decision, I’ll be involved in that process, but there’ll be lots of people involved in these conversations as well. There can be a lot of noise and a lot of voices.”
More to follow…
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