Luton Town should turn to Coventry City as Ross Barkley heads for Aston Villa

Callum O’Hare will be in a man with many Premier League admirers but Luton Town should be plotting a move to help their promotion push.

Luton Town impressed in the Premier League with their fluid football despite winning only six games.
Ross Barkley’s departure is a loss, but Callum O’Hare could be a fitting replacement for Luton.
O’Hare’s versatility and goal-scoring ability make him a strong candidate to fill Barkley’s shoes at Luton Town.

Luton Town’s stay in the Premier League was a short one, but they impressed many fans across the country with their fluid football and knack for scoring goals.

Whilst they only won six games all season, fixtures like their 4-4 draw at St James’ Park and their 4-0 win against Brighton will live long in the memory.

A man who was a key figure all season was Ross Barkley. The experienced midfielder was somewhat back to his best as he brought that ounce of class to a Luton midfield which sorely lacked it.

Unfortunately for the Hatters, it now seems that Barkley won’t stay for the foreseeable as Aston Villa had a £5 million bid accepted for the midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Whilst for Villa, this is an astute signing as they look to build on a squad that achieved fourth place last season, for Rob Edwards’ side it is a devastating loss.

However, at Coventry City there is a man who will likely be out-of-contract soon and Luton should be taking full advantage of this situation.

Whilst O’Hare may not have the same level of experience as Barkley, the 26-year-old is undeniably gifted and could provide Luton with that spark.

A former Villa youth player, O’Hare has the ability to beat players with ease as well as score and assist on frequent occasions.

A worry for Hatters fans may be how they can afford him. Well, O’Hare is out of contract at the West Midlands club, and it seems likely that he will turn down the new offer from the Sky Blues after Mark Robins’ comments.

“Then there’s Callum O’Hare and I have just said in the dressing room, I’m not going to give up on you. But we started laughing and I know that he’s probably going to choose somewhere else to go.

“But he’s been incredible as well and I thought the supporters were outstanding with him, as they were all the players.”

Additionally, any wage demands the attacking midfielder may have should be comfortably met by Edwards’ side, with the club now receiving parachute payments following their relegation.

The one concern will be the Premier League interest. Southampton are the latest side reported to be keen, with previous teams linked including West Ham United and Leicester City.

These developments will be met with apprehension, but the Hatters can offer guaranteed first-team football as they look to bring in a direct replacement for Barkley.

O’Hare would be the perfect fit for Edwards and Luton
Rob Edwards celebrated with Luton Town fans
Able to feature anywhere across the front third of the pitch and in attacking midfield, O’Hare has can run games when he is at his best.

The past year has been difficult for the midfielder as he has only just found his feet again after suffering a horrific cruciate ligament injury against Sheffield United in 2022.

Working his way back into Mark Robins’ side in the 2023-24 campaign, he contributed 10 goals and four assists, including the second of an incredible comeback against Manchester United in April.

For Luton, he may be the ideal replacement for Barkley and, under the guidance of a brilliant manager in Edwards, the midfielder could refine his game further to become one of the division’s top talents.

Either featuring just off of Carlton Morris or alongside Marvelous Nakamba in the centre of midfield, O’Hare’s eye for a goal could be crucial.

As seen in the recently promoted sides, a finisher or provider from the middle of the park is needed and Luton should go all out for Coventry City’s number ten.