Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has officially confirmed that Chiedozie Ogbene is engaged in negotiations with Ipswich Town regarding a potential transfer to the Premier League club.
Ogbene, a key attacker for Luton, is reportedly close to finalizing a move to Ipswich, who earned promotion to the Premier League last season. The transfer fee being discussed is approximately £8 million, a significant sum for a player whom Ipswich originally acquired on a free transfer.
The news of Ogbene’s imminent move broke yesterday, sparking speculation and interest among fans and pundits alike. Despite his involvement in recent matches, including not participating in Luton’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout loss to QPR, Edwards has been cautious about confirming details. He acknowledged the ongoing discussions but remained tight-lipped about the specifics, stating that the situation is still developing and he cannot provide further details at this time.
Edwards has consistently expressed his desire to retain his current squad members throughout the transfer window. However, with Ogbene’s potential departure seeming increasingly likely, the manager was asked about the impact of the potential transfer on Luton’s ability to strengthen their team.
He assured that the club is actively working to ensure they are well-positioned to make new signings, emphasizing the importance of securing appropriate funds and making strategic decisions regarding player movements.
Should the transfer proceed as anticipated, Luton will receive a substantial fee for Ogbene, who has scored five goals in 39 appearances for the club. Edwards noted that any funds generated from the sale would be used judiciously to enhance the team before the transfer window closes this Friday. The manager highlighted that the club is diligently pursuing opportunities to bolster their squad and remain competitive.
Edwards added: “We’re working on stuff of course. The line has always been to make sure if we do let someone go and go for the right money and it’s the right thing for them, we’ll push to make sure we’re in a really strong position with incomings as well. We’re working hard on that at the moment as well.”
Overall, while Edwards refrained from confirming the deal’s completion, he underscored the club’s commitment to balancing player sales with strategic acquisitions. Luton fans and stakeholders will be closely watching as the transfer window approaches its end, eager to see how the situation with Ogbene and potential new signings unfolds.
