Jack Wilshere refuses to rule out second Luton Town loan for Manchester City attacker | OneFootball

Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere has refused to rule out a second loan move for Manchester City youngster Emilio Lawrence, insisting “there is a chance” of the winger returning to Kenilworth Road for another campaign, as per a new report.

Lawrence, 20, arrived at Luton Town on loan from Manchester City in January, part of a duo of temporary additions that Wilshere brought in during his first transfer window as manager, alongside Kasey Palmer – with both players having gone on to leave a positive impression over the second half of the season.

Lawrence’s loan spell was not without its difficulties in the early stages, with the youngster finding himself out of the starting lineup for a period as he adjusted to the demands of EFL Championship football, before going on to develop significantly as the campaign progressed and Wilshere’s trust in him grew.

That trajectory of progress has left the Luton manager eager to bring the Manchester City youngster back to Bedfordshire, though any decision over a second loan will ultimately rest with Lawrence and Manchester City’s hierarchy rather than with Wilshere alone.

The interest from Luton arrives at a point when director of football Hugo Viana is overseeing a comprehensive assessment of the club’s entire squad, with decisions on loan moves for younger players forming part of a wider picture of personnel planning ahead of Enzo Maresca‘s first season in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Wilshere: There is a chance Lawrence returns to Luton

Speaking to The Lutonian, Wilshere acknowledged his desire to secure the return of Lawrence on loan from the Etihad Stadium and the factors outside his control that will determine whether it materialises.

“Yeah, there is a chance,” said Wilshere. “Ultimately, that would be down to him and Man City. I think he done really well. Sometimes then, players and clubs, the next step is obviously to go up a league.

“However, I made my opinion clear to Emilio that that’s not always necessarily the best step, and spending some more time with us, he knows us, we know him, can actually prepare him higher than he thinks he can.”

Wilshere went on to articulate precisely why he views a second spell as beneficial for Lawrence’s development: “He grew so much, and I think when you have a player who develops that much, in a small amount of time, you want to get him back because you feel like you can make him better,” the former Arsenal midfielder added.

The Luton manager also offered a broader reflection on Lawrence’s loan experience as a model for what a successful temporary move should look like. “I think that is a real benefit for a young player, going out on loan,” Wilshere said.

“Because, let’s not forget, when he first came in, he played four games, and he was out the squad for four games. So, he’s almost been through that initial period here.

“Hopefully, no matter where he goes, he’s learnt that and he understands because it’s completely different to U21 football.”

What does Wilshere’s interest mean for Lawrence’s Man City future?

The warmth of Wilshere’s assessment reflects the extent to which Lawrence made a genuine impression at Kenilworth Road after working through a difficult initial period – and it raises the question of whether Maresca’s first summer in charge will see the youngster returned to familiar surroundings or pointed toward a new challenge at a higher level.

Wilshere himself acknowledged that the debate over whether Lawrence should step up to a higher loan destination or continue his development in a familiar environment is a live one, with the Luton manager making clear he has already shared his view directly with the player rather than allowing the decision to be made entirely from above.

Manchester City’s approach to young players on loan has historically prioritised the right environment over the highest available division, with the development pathway of each individual considered on its own merits – a philosophy that aligns closely with the case Wilshere is making for Lawrence to return to Luton rather than make a premature step up.

Whether Lawrence and his representatives share Wilshere’s view on the most appropriate next step, and whether Manchester City sanction a second loan to the Championship club, will become clearer as the summer window progresses and Viana’s squad planning enters its final stages at the Etihad Stadium.