"Far too good" - Alfie Doughty tipped to leave Luton Town on one condition | OneFootball

The Hatters' key man has been predicted to leave if they are relegated to League One this season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Key Luton Town man Alfie Doughty has been picked out as the player most likely to leave Kenilworth Road in the summer transfer window, with an exit mooted if the club are relegated to League One this season.

Luton were widely tipped to be the best of the top-flight relegated teams in the Championship, but the club currently sit second-bottom of the second tier with nine games of the season left.

Doughty has been one of the Hatters' standout players since he joined the club from Stoke City in 2022, and he seriously impressed in the step-up to the Premier League last season, so much so, that transfer interest was rife in last year's summer window after they were relegated to the second-tier.

He remained at Kenilworth Road for this term, however, and has continued to play well from a personal standpoint amid numerous injury issues, but has been unable to stop Luton's downfall, which could lead them to dropping into League One for next season.

Hatters fan pundit makes 'sorely missed' Alfie Doughty exit claim

Doughty's standout form at left wing-back in the Premier League for Luton saw him earn transfer interest from the likes of Brentford, Wolves and West Ham ahead of a potential move last summer. The Hatters reportedly placed a £15 million price-tag on his head amid those links though, and he stayed with the club for their return to the second-tier.

The 25-year-old may well regret staying at Luton for this campaign though, as they stare down the barrel of a potential successive relegation to the third tier. He has featured 23 times in all competitions so far this term, with one goal and four assists to his name.

Regardless of Matt Bloomfield's side's fate, Doughty is bound to be on the radar of numerous teams this summer. He has shown that he can cut it in the top-flight and is a standout in the Championship when fit.

FLW's Hatters fan pundit, Simon Holden, believes that he is the most likely of their current squad to leave ahead of next season, especially if they are in League One for 2025/26.

“If we get relegated, it is probably going to be Alfie Doughty who leaves the club because he is far too good for League One,” Simon told FLW.

“Hopefully, we can pull it off, and stay in the Championship, but if Alfie Doughty does end up leaving, he will definitely be the most sorely missed.

“He’s a vital player for us, even when things aren’t going well. He provides our best attacking outlet down the left-hand side, and all over the field, typically.

“He’ll be really, really missed if he ends up leaving, by everyone at the club. He’s a great player.”

Alfie Doughty may be happy at Luton but relegation will mean he has to leave

Doughty's path to Kenilworth Road was certainly not a straightforward one after he broke through at boyhood club Charlton Athletic to earn a move to Stoke City in January 2021.

His time in the Potteries was blighted by injuries after he had arrived while sidelined and was unable to ever nail down a consistent starting berth in the Championship. The wing-back was sent out on loan to Cardiff City in January 2022 but again saw his time at another new club derailed by injuries, with only nine appearances made in the Welsh capital.

Luton took a chance on his fitness and abilities at second-tier level that summer, and it is fair to say that their gamble has paid off up to now. The cut-price fee that they would have paid to the Potters could be a pittance in comparison to what he could be sold for this summer.

Doughty's recent interview with the Hatters' media channels, where he insists that the move to Kenilworth Road was the "best decision" of his career so far, is indicative of the affection he has for the club that gave him a chance to prove his worth in both the Championship and then the Premier League.

He has already shown his commitment to Luton after choosing to stay last year, and would no doubt love to stay at the club for the long term, but that seems fairly implausible from both an on-pitch and off-pitch point of view if they are to be relegated this season.