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It has been reported that Luton are interested in Wolves left back Ryan Giles, with a potential fee in the region of £5 million.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, playing all but one league game as Michael Carrick’s side reached the championship playoffs.
Giles would be the Hatters' fourth signing this summer, as they prepare their squad for a Premier League survival challenge.
What would Ryan Giles bring to Luton Town?
Giles was one of the best attacking full backs in the championship last campaign, registering a staggering 11 assists for Boro, the third-best tally in the league behind Jack Clarke and Victor Gyokeres.
Going forward, Giles is supremely talented. The full back has a wand of a left foot, with the invaluable ability of picking out the strikers with dangerous crosses.
He struck up a deadly partnership with top scorer Chuba Akpom, and if a move to Kenilworth Road came to fruition would most likely find the same success with the likes of Morris and Adebayo.
However, one area of Giles’ game which seems to be lacking is the defensive side. He was in the bottom 10 percent of championship full backs for tackles and blocks last campaign, and sometimes came under fire for his ball watching.
After promotion to the Premier League, Rob Edwards needs full backs with sufficient defensive abilities, to deal with the world class wingers that the top clubs possess, which could dissuade the Hatters from making a move for the Wolves man.
Also, Giles is very similar to Alfie Doughty, both excellent going forward but less impressive going the other way. With a limited budget, the Town may want to spend in other areas (Right back, Defensive Midfeild, Goalkeeper) instead of improving a position where they already have talent.
If Giles did make his way to Kenilworth Road this summer though, Doughty’s versatility could be utilised. The fan favourite played a couple of games in midfield last season and with Rob Edwards exploring a possible 4-2-3-1 system in the prem, could be pushed further forward. Bringing Giles in could actually improve Doughty, pushing him forward to a left wing position without the weight of defensive responsibility.
For me, the reported £5million fee would be a steal for a creative talent such as Giles. Although it may be a gamble with the question marks around his defensive ability, the upside potential of a top quality attacking fullback is too exciting to turn down.
Featured image: Copyright of Gareth Owen/LTFC