'Imminent' - Luton Town could lose starting XI stalwart hours before QPR clash in Deadline Day blow

Kenilworth Road hosts Championship action tonight.Kenilworth Road hosts Championship action tonight.
Kenilworth Road hosts Championship action tonight. | Getty Images
QPR travel to Luton Town tonight and the hosts could be about to lose a key first team star.

Luton Town could be dealt a seismic transfer blow in the final hours of the transfer market ahead of taking on QPR at Kenilworth Road in a Championship encounter on Friday evening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Hatters manager Rob Edwards had spoken this week about how the timing of the league fixture was 'not ideal' ahead of a potentially busy Deadline Day. His fears may become a reality amid reports from Italy of a last minute transfer deal that would see star defender Teden Mengi leave the club.

The 22-year-old has played every minute of the Championship campaign for Luton Town so far this season but was a noticeable absentee from the side's matchday squad for Tuesday night's Carabao Cup defeat to Marti Cifuentes' side. Edwards had said there were ‘no live offers’ this week but there still appears to be weight to rumours surrounding Mengi’s future.

FootMercato journalist Valentin Feuillette took to social media platform X on Friday to relay reports by fellow transfer specialist Santi Aouna that a move to Torino was 'imminent' for Mengi. Feuillette wrote: "Torino announced early this morning the signings of Guillermo Maripán and Sebastian Walukiewicz who will strengthen the defence. The arrival of Teden Mengi, the last defender in the Turin transfer window, is imminent."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That comes as another blow for Luton Town, who have already seen Ross Barkley and Chiedozie Ogbene head to Premier League sides Aston Villa and Ipswich Town respectively. Edwards may now be forced to implement a last minute defensive re-shuffle as QPR make their way to Kenilworth Road.

Marti Cifuentes is looking for his first three points of the season against Luton Town tonight.Marti Cifuentes is looking for his first three points of the season against Luton Town tonight.
Marti Cifuentes is looking for his first three points of the season against Luton Town tonight. | Getty Images

News of any late disruption will be music to the ears of Cifuentes and the R's, who are still searching for their first league win of the season. QPR were beaten by West Brom on the opening weekend before picking up a point against Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking ahead of playing QPR for the second time in four days this week, Edwards said: "It’s been a real challenging few months, managing, injuries coming back, the drop down anyway. The window, it does unsettle people, so it’s not easy. I’ll be really pleased when it closes on Friday and we can get to work with the people we’ve got.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It’s not going to quieten down over the next couple of days so I’d get ready for all of that sort of stuff. Sometimes what you read or see or hear isn’t always true as well, so let’s see what the next couple of days bring. It’s not ideal that we’re playing on deadline day as well, it’s a strange one."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.