Rob Edwards’ Luton Town rebuild is underway following the signings of Chiedozie Ogbene and Mads Andersen from Rotherham United and Barnsley respectively, but capturing a striker is seemingly the Hatters’ next objective and it is Everton forward Tom Cannon who is on the radar.
According to Alan Nixon’s report from the Sun on Sunday, Luton are alongside Championship duo Sunderland and Preston North End in their interest towards the youngster.
Cannon, a youth international for the Republic of Ireland, spent last season on loan with the Lilywhites in the second tier. The 20-year-old featured 21 times, scoring eight times and assisting once as Ryan Lowe’s side fell six points short of reaching the play-offs.
The Toffees had not expected a permanent offer for their academy graduate, but Sunderland are readying an ambitious £3m bid plus bonuses to secure the services of Cannon as they view him as a steady investment for the future.
Preston want to see their former loan star return on a permanent basis, so they may also submit a money offer.
Luton’s offer of Premier League football could help sway Cannon’s decision in their favour, but they may have to act quickly with the Black Cats and Preston currently preparing offers.
Would Cannon be the right signing?
The Hatters’ current striker options are Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo and Cauley Woodrow. Only the latter has tasted Premier League football before, though that came nine years ago with Fulham where he made six appearances, hitting the back of the net once.
Cannon himself has only made two top flight appearances, totalling a combined 23 minutes, so questions remain unanswered as to whether or not he is capable of performing regularly at the highest level.
It appears to be yet another cautious approach to the transfer window from Luton, and many have been quick to judge the signings made so far, but this is exactly how the Hatters have built their success in previous years.
Their signings are usually under the radar, and questions are often raised over the quality of their additions, but they are now Premier League for a reason.
Should Cannon join Edwards’ squad, there is sure to be sound reasoning behind it.
You can never write off Luton Town.