Billy Mulley
Options Luton Town could look to consider following Nathan Jones' recent recruitment comments
Following the arrivals of Alfie Doughty, Cauley Woodrow and Matt Macey, Nathan Jones will be continuing to assess his options ahead of the start of the new Championship campaign.
In conversation with Luton Today, Jones indicated that there could be as many as five additions to the squad as the summer progresses, outlining that existing players would need to depart for that to happen.
Jones stated that the Bedfordshire outfit are looking to bring in two more midfielders, an attacker and a defender, whilst suggesting that a deal for another goalkeeper may be close.
Fixating eyes on Jones' recent comments, here is an assessment of what Jones each targeted position...
Goalkeeper
A move for another goalkeeper does make a lot of sense, with James Shea out for the unforeseeable future, and with the Hatters boss looking to avoid a similar situation as the one the club found themselves during the latter stages of the last campaign.
Will Norris has been linked with a move to Kenilworth Road, as per a report from journalist Alan Nixon, as it remains to be seen if interest strengthens.
Looking outside any rumours, Plymouth Argyle's Michael Cooper represents an option that Championship clubs in general will be considering. The Pilgrims Player of the Season enjoyed an excellent campaign between the sticks and ticks a lot of boxes for Jones. Young, hungry, high potential re-sale value, unlikely to demand high wages, the potential stumbling block here would be interest from other clubs and the subsequent asking price.
Defender
With Peter Kioso and Kal Naismith departing, the Hatters have not only lost two defenders, but they have lost versatile options.
Luton may be considering a Kal Naismith replacement, with the departed left-footed defender offering excellent progressive abilities, as well as competence in defending.
However, this may not be the case, with a link emerging that involved Borussia Dortmund defender Antonios Papadopoulos, as per a report from German publication Bild. The report did credit Preston North End with the seven-figure pursuit of the 22-year-old, with the Greek centre-back playing most of his football for the German club's second team last time out.
Again, Papadopoulos meets the criteria of a young, hungry player with potential resale value, however, the fee could prove to be the stumbling block.
Midfielders
The future of Robert Snodgrass remains to be resolved, with Jones stating that two midfielders may come in.
From an immediate scan of the squad, an out-and-out holding midfielder may be considered, because whilst the likes of Gabe Osho, Henri Lansbury and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu can do a job there, they are all better suited to different roles.
Perhaps on the more ambitious side of the scale, Max Bird is someone that would suit that role perfectly, whilst meeting the aforementioned criteria. Being just one of a few Derby players to have a contract beyond tomorrow, the Rams will be eager to keep hold of the midfielder, meaning it could be a complicated deal for the Hatters.
The other midfield option appears to be the left-footed creative type that Jones has wanted for a while - The void that Snodgrass filled.
If Snodgrass is to head on for pastures new, Luton have been linked with AFC Wimbledon's Jack Rudoni, with the 21-year-old the subject of interest at several Championship clubs.
Attacker
Possessing strong attacking options as it stands, it will be interesting to see if any deals for any forwards do come to fruition.
With Cauley Woodrow, Elijah Adebayo, Cameron Jerome and Harry Cornick as forward options, and when combining that with the likes of Fred Onyedinma, Carlos Mendes Gomes and Admiral Muskwe, as options who can operate in attacking positions, it is difficult to see where another forward fit in.
One striker that the Hatters have been linked with a move for Ipswich Town forward Tyreece Simpson. If he was to arrive, it would be no surprise if he immediately embarked on a loan spell away.