How much Luton Town will have to pay Ipswich Town for Ali Al-Hamadi if his loan is made permanent | OneFootball

Ipswich Town have loaned Ali Al-Hamadi to League One for the season

Luton Town were busy on deadline day, as they added extra attacking firepower to an already impressive frontline.

Young Joe Gbode arrived from League Two side Gillingham, and the other striker brought in came from the league above, as the Hatters secured the loan arrival of Ali Al-Hamadi from Ipswich Town.

The Iraqi international became a victim almost of Ipswich's rapid rise up the divisions, after being highly rated upon his arrival from League Two side AFC Wimbledon in January 2024.

Premier League minutes became difficult to come by for a striker who was playing in the fourth tier eight months prior, and then he failed to make an impact on loan at Stoke City in the Championship during the second half of last season.

Now, Al-Hamadi is on the move again, this time to League One Luton, on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy if certain criteria are met.

Whilst the criteria aren't clear just yet, Matt Bloomfield's side could have landed themselves a bargain if the 23-year-old can rediscover the form which saw him move to Ipswich in the first place.

How much Luton Town may have to pay Ipswich Town for Ali Al-Hamadi

According to Sky Sports on deadline day, Ipswich frontman Al-Hamadi made the switch to Luton on a season-long loan, which will become a permanent deal for £3 million if certain criteria are met.

Whether these criteria resemble games played, whether Luton gets promoted at the first time of asking, or something completely different, is still to be revealed.

If it is regarding appearances, Al-Hamadi will need to earn his permanent move to Kenilworth Road, as his arrival further saturates an already busy striker position at Luton.

Jerry Yates made the move from Swansea City earlier in the transfer window, and whilst he is still yet to score in League One this season, followers of the third tier will be aware of his scoring prowess in previous seasons at this level.

Nakhi Wells and Lasse Nordas can also play in the sole striker role, as well as fellow deadline day arrival Joe Gbode, so there's plenty of competition for the Iraqi international at his new club.

Ali Al-Hamidi will be worth the money if he can rediscover AFC Wimbledon form

Ultimately, this deal would be a win/win for Luton if appearances were the conditions which had to be met for a permanent deal to go through, as if Al-Hamadi keeps the aforementioned competition at bay, he'll be scoring the goals needed to challenge at the top of League One.

The 23-year-old's career has stalled slightly since he arrived at Portman Road, but it hasn't been long since he was tearing up the fourth tier with Wimbledon, netting 13 in 23 League Two games in the months before his switch to Ipswich.

If Al-Hamadi can replicate that form in front of goal, then Luton will have a truly dangerous striker on their hands, and one who could make that step up into the Championship next season, which is ultimately the goal for Matt Bloomfield's side.

Then, a fee of £3 million to make the loan deal permanent may not seem too bad a deal at all.