Former Hatters striker Isaac Vassell has been linked with a move back to Kenilworth Road, while Town boss Graeme Jones has revealed he’s “very hopeful” of bringing in more reinforcements before the close of the transfer window.
The manager has made six signings so far, but Saturday’s 5-1 pre-season defeat to Norwich highlighted the need to strengthen the squad further.
Luton have been reported as attempting to bring Vassell back on loan from Birmingham, two years after he left Kenilworth Road for the second city, signed by Harry Redknapp for a reported fee of more than £1million. However, any deal could hinge on whether the Blues can sign another striker first.
Talking after the Norwich match about his overall work in the transfer market, Jones said: “I’m very hopeful but these things are never straightforward. You’re competing with other people, other clubs.
“We need more competition, we need to improve things and today’s a great measurement for that so, it’s what you do with it.”
While he’s broken Town’s transfer record to sign €1.5million goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Jones said that he isn’t looking at the transfer market in terms of competing with bigger clubs with larger budgets.
“That would be an easy excuse for me and I don’t really look at that,” he said, adding: “It’s not easy but so far we’ve brought in Championship players with Championship experience. That’s been the key for me because I had to help the boys out who don’t know the league. It’s ongoing and we’re still hoping to get a few more in before August 8.”
Town Chairman David Wilkinson also offered an insight into the club’s approach to the transfer market, telling The Times: “We can’t compete with the big transfer fees and big salaries. If we do, we’ll end up where we did as a club before. We’d rather be relegated than go back to that. The club is more important than the league we’re in.”
