Celtic or Rangers could leave Jack Wilshere with serious Arsenal transfer envy | OneFootball

Luton Town face an uphill battle to win the race to Max Dowman's signature in January

Luton Town went into the new League One season as one of the favourites for automatic promotion.

The Hatters finished seventh in the previous campaign, and a strong end to the term had given fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

However, it’s been a frustrating first couple of months of 2026/27, with the team struggling for consistent results.

Jack Wilshere’s side have already fallen adrift of the likes of Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday, so can’t afford to let too many more points slip through their fingers.

Jack Wilshere face difficult transfer challenge

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One player that Luton have already identified to try and bolster their promotion chances is Arsenal youngster Max Dowman.

It’s been reported that the League One side are one of 12 clubs interested in a loan move for the 16-year-old in the January transfer window.

Wilshere’s connection to the Gunners could help convince the London outfit to favour Luton, but they still face an uphill battle to win his signature.

There’s no doubt that Dowman could be an impressive addition for the team given his performances at a Premier League level, as well his brace against Ipswich Town in the EFL Cup earlier this month.

Celtic and Rangers could give Luton Town transfer envy

Two of the clubs chasing Dowman’s signature at Celtic and Rangers, and the two Glasgow rivals are well positioned in this transfer race.

They can both offer the 16-year-old the opportunity to compete for major silverware, while Celtic can also offer minutes at a European level in the Europa League.

Compared to a League One standard, it will be tough for Luton to convince Arsenal that Kenilworth Road is the best place for his development.

The Hatters could be left to look on enviously in the second half of the season if they see Dowman competing elsewhere.

Jack Wilshere speaks glowingly about Max Dowman

Wilshere has made no secret about his admiration of Dowman, and has publicly praised the teenager after it was revealed that the club tried to sign him on loan in the summer as well.

The 34-year-old worked with the teenager when he was a part of the youth coaching setup at Arsenal, and he spoke glowingly of Dowman earlier this month.

"He can do everything,” said Wilshere, via Luton Today.

“You’d ask him to do something once and he would understand it straight away.

“It was a pleasure and now I watch on like an Arsenal fan and someone who worked with him.

“Mikel as well has done a top job with him and now it’s his challenge to get into the team.

“That's a mentality thing for him and I’m sure he will do it this season.”

That history between Wilshere and Dowman is Luton’s best hope of being able to secure his temporary signature in the winter.

The League One side will have to guarantee regular minutes to have the best chance at fending off interest from so many teams.

Arsenal may consider Max Dowman too good for League One

Dowman became the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history last season when he found the back of the net for Arsenal’s second in a 2-0 win over Everton in March.

He made six appearances in the league, including one start, with the Gunners going on to win their first league title since 2004.

So Mikel Arteta may already feel that Dowman is too good to be competing in League One, even if he would be earning regular minutes under Wilshere.

With the likes of Burnley, Wolves, Norwich City and even Coventry City also being linked, Luton face a tall order in convincing Arsenal that Kenilworth Road is the best place for Dowman’s development.