Five players Luton Town could sign ahead of Premier League debut

Nevertheless, despite the health of Tom Lockyer - who has since been shown in good spirits in hospital - naturally being at the forefront of his mind, Edwards will inevitably have to start considering how to keep the Hatters in the top flight after 31 years away.

Luton are not in a position where they can spend freely to achieve that goal. A portion of their new-found riches will need to be put towards improving the facilities at Kenilworth Road in order to fulfil Premier League criteria, and a capacity of barely over 10,000 means that extra revenue through ticket sales is restricted.

That said, there is a certain profile of player that could make the switch to Luton over the coming months, and Sports Mole picks out five players that may fit the criteria that Edwards will strive for.

Marvelous Nakamba

Even though Marvelous Nakamba had dropped down the pecking order at Aston Villa, it was still somewhat of a coup for Luton to pull off the loan signing of the Zimbabwe international in January.

Edwards got someone who was motivated to kick-start his career and Nakamba proved a class above the Championship during his 20 appearances, 16 of which he completed the full game.

The 29-year-old did not provide a goal or assist, but that is not what he was signed to do. Nakamba was acquired to dictate and break-up play, and although Edwards stated on Saturday that Lockyer had been his player of the season, it is highly doubtful that Luton would have finished in third place in the regular season without the influence of Nakamba.

With a year left on his contract, Villa will sell this summer, and there appears no reason why Nakamba and Luton will not continue a relationship that proved more productive than anyone would have dared imagine.

Ryan Giles

Ryan Giles has reached the age of 23 having made just one FA Cup outing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, yet the left-sided player has been regarded by many as the best in his position during loan spells in the EFL.

Two goals and 22 assists have come from 119 Championship outings, 12 of those assists being provided at Middlesbrough during 2022-23. Michael Carrick switched to using Giles as a full-back, but there is no doubting that his best position is at wing-back.

Alfie Doughty has cemented his role on the left flank under Edwards, contributing two goals and five assists this campaign, but competition is required if Amari'i Bell is to remain as a left-sided centre-back.

As well as Edwards likely being attracted to Giles's set-piece capabilities, he knows him from his time on the backroom staff at Wolves, a club who may jump at a chance to generate funds from a homegrown talent when they need to boost their position with FFP.

Dion Sanderson

Dion Sanderson fits the same criteria as Giles. Edwards knows him from his stay at Molineux and Wolves will likely be happy to generate money from his sale during the summer.

Sanderson, who is the same age as Giles, has spent five separate loan spells at EFL clubs since 2020 without coming close to being considered for a regular role at Wolves.

With regards to this season, 31 starts - largely in a back three - have been made for Birmingham City, and although Edwards's familiarity with Sanderson is taken into account, he fits Luton's system and brings much-needed versatility.

As Premier League minnows, Luton may also consider the need to sign players who have Premier League potential, yet would also be capable of featuring in a promotion bid should they suffer immediate relegation back to the second tier. Giles and Sanderson both tick that box, and could theoretically be signed in the £5m-£6m bracket as a pair.

James Bree

As recently as January, James Bree ended his three-and-a-half association with Luton to link up with Nathan Jones - his former head coach - at Southampton.

However, the switch has been disastrous. Bree has made just three starts and one substitute outing, totalling just 278 minutes ahead of the final game of the season and every appearance ending in defeat, and Jones is long gone from the dugout.

Depending on whether Russell Martin wishes to retain Bree's services, the defender could become a key player for Southampton in the Championship, but the 25-year-old and Luton departed on amicable terms due to his contract situation and desire to play Premier League football. When Luton announced his exit, Edwards himself waxed lyrical about Bree's qualities.

A reunion cannot be out of the question. Luton sold Bree - who can play across the backline - for just £750,000 and would be expected to pay a higher fee to re-sign a player who made 143 appearances before his departure, but it is another example of a value-for-money acquisition that may make sense for all concerned.

Joel Piroe

Despite finishing in third place this season, Luton possessed just the eighth-best attacking record. Carlton Morris (20) and Elijah Adebayo (seven) scored 27 of their 57 league goals, highlighting that the Hatters will need to strengthen in that area.

There will be players on the market that bring Premier League and European experience, but Luton may look to capitalise on Joel Piroe potentially being allowed to leave Swansea City this summer.

In two years in South Wales, Piroe has 44 goals and eight assists from 92 appearances, a stellar return when taking into consideration that Swansea have been consistently inconsistent during his time at the club.

Piroe is destined for top-flight next season in one of European football's top five or six leagues - Swansea likely having to consider bids between £8m to £10m due to just one year remaining on his contract - and Luton can offer him the game time required to showcase his talent to a wider audience.