How Gillingham FC have reacted to new Luton Town bid for striker Joe Gbode | OneFootball

Luton's hunt for another number nine has ventured into League Two territory.

Luton Town have had two offers for Joe Gbode rejected by Gillingham.

Moving down to League One hasn't hurt the Hatters' pulling power that much this summer, as has been particularly displayed by their signings up front.

Two Championship-quality goalscorers in Nahki Wells and Jerry Yates have moved to Kenilworth Road on respective permanent and temporary deals from Bristol City and Swansea City. Between them, with their 20 combined second-tier goals last season, Elijah Adebayo and others, Town shouldn't have any struggles in front of goal this season.

That pairing will provide great experience and knowhow, but Matt Bloomfield's side are also on the hunt for something a little different in their next forward addition; someone that is a bit of a project signing compared to the here and now moves made for Wells and Yates.

Luton make two failed attempts to sign Gillingham forward Joe Gbode

Luton have identified League Two attacker Joe Gbode as a potential player for the future. The 20-year-old has featured in Gillingham's first-team over the past five seasons - a remarkable achievement for a player of his age.

He got his best stretch of consistent football last season under Mark Bonner, John Coleman and Gareth Ainsworth. Gbode notched three goals in 34 appearances for the Gills in that term.

The youngster, who is a centre-forward but can also play out wide on the left flank, also featured for Gillingham against Luton in pre-season, and has evidently done enough to convince the recruitment team at Kenilworth Road that he could be a star in the making.

They submitted two offers to the Kent side for Gbode. Pete O'Rourke has reported, however, that these proposals have been knocked back by the League Two outfit.

Their interest in the 20-year-old - who failed to replicate his off-season form in his side's opening match of the new campaign versus Accrington Stanley - had previously been rumoured. It remains to be seen whether a subsequent offer will be made by the former Premier League club.

Luton Town feel likely to carry on with their Joe Gbode chase

While Gbode may have looked sharp in the weeks leading up to the 2025/26 campaign, his previous outings in the EFL don't do much to excite anyone, at least on paper.

There is no shame in looking ahead to the future and trying to prepare yourself, as Luton, as best as you can for it.

The Gills' youngster isn't somebody that would help Bloomfield with his short-term goal of getting back to the Championship.

Does he have the potential to help the Hatters down the line for what, right now, is unlikely to be a huge fee? Luton clearly think so, so it's hard to see them backing down from their pursuit now.