Luton Town are edging closer to at least one new addition in the final few days of the transfer window, with Jack Wilshere confirming the club have been working intensively behind the scenes to improve the squad.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s League One clash with Blackpool, the Hatters boss revealed transfer talks have accelerated in recent days, with a deal potentially nearing completion, although he refused to be drawn on positions.
“Well, it’s been a busy few days. [I’ve] spent a lot of time here with the guys,” Wilshere said. “We’re close to one. I actually think, hopefully, he’s in the scanner as we speak.
“So yeah, busy few days, enjoyable days as well because you can see the effort that everyone’s putting in to try and improve the squad and being part of that has been enjoyable.”
Though tightlipped on the target, Wilshere said: “I think you’ll like him.”
Wilshere stressed that Town will be driven by quality rather than urgency, insisting the club will not rush into deals simply for numbers, though today’s departure of Jerry Yates on loan to Sheffield Wednesday has freed up five spaces in the squad.
“We want to get players that are going to help us now,” the manager said. “It’s not just going to happen in January that a team’s going to let some of their best players go. Normally in January, the players that are available are probably the ones that are not playing at clubs and we want to avoid that.
“We won’t be rushed into signings that we won’t need. They have to be right.”
The 34-year-old admitted the window has been a steep learning curve in his first managerial role, but one he has embraced fully, with the club’s recruitment team working almost around the clock.
“I’ve been here [club offices] so many times with the boys looking at things,” he said. “That’s what I’m learning, you have to be ready. You have to put the work in, you have to identify what you want, what you need, and then there’s another thing about getting the deal done.”
Wilshere confirmed he has been heavily involved in discussions, alongside assistant manager Chris Powell and the club’s recruitment staff.
“We were here, me, Chris Powell, all the recruitment team, a lot this month,” he said. “Especially the last few days. Last night we were here. We had fish and chips at 10 o’clock.
“I’m in constant contact, probably over 20 phone calls a day with the head of recruitment. It is consuming, but it has to be that way. We have an ambition to try and get out of this league and when everyone’s aligned with that, we have to get the work done.”
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