Luton Town player on 'extremely high wage' tipped for Kenilworth Road exit | OneFootball

FLW's Luton fan pundit has given his verdict on Marvelous Nakamba's future at the club

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…

Marvelous Nakamba has struggled for game time at Luton Town in the last few seasons and his time at the club could be at an end.

The midfielder initially joined the Hatters on loan from Aston Villa for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

Promotion to the Premier League led to him joining on a permanent basis, but he has made just 45 league appearances in that time, including playing on only one occasion this campaign.

Nakamba’s contract expires in the summer, meaning his future at Kenilworth Road is uncertain going into the January transfer window.

This winter could be the club’s last chance to earn any kind of fee for the player, or else they risk losing him for nothing when the campaign concludes.

Marvelous Nakamba departure would suit all parties

When asked about a potential Nakamba exit, FLW’s Luton fan pundit Simon Mills claimed that it would be the right move all around for both parties if he left.

He believes that issues behind the scenes have prevented him from playing more regularly, along with injuries, and has suggested that the time has come for a split, especially as it would help players like Jake Richards to break into the squad.

“I think it would probably be best all around if we did sell Marvelous Nakamba,” Mills told Football League World.

“I don’t think there’s really a place in the team for him now, he’s on an extremely high wage.

“I hear as well there might be a potential issue with his appearance fee, which might be what has limited his time here, as well as his injuries this season and last season, and the Premier League season.

“So I love Marv, Marv is a great character, but I do think that it is probably best that Marv goes somewhere else and finishes up his career while we continue to bring through players like Jake Richards, who I think should be playing.”

Richards has played eight times in League One so far this season, including five starts, contributing two goals and one assist.

The Hatters are competing for promotion back to the Championship, with Jack Wilshere’s side currently sitting seventh in the table.

A 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening left the club three points adrift of the play-off places while also having played more games than most of their rivals.

Next up for Luton is a home clash against Port Vale on 13 December in a 3pm kick-off.

Marvelous Nakamba is surplus to requirements at Luton

Nakamba made a positive impact at Luton in his first year or two at the club, but it is increasingly clear that his usefulness has expired.

He’s made just one appearance in the league this season, and that came under Matt Bloomfield instead of Wilshere.

The midfielder going in January will be a matter of if any other team makes a move to sign him, otherwise a free agency departure seems the likeliest option.

He’s also now 31, and the number of injuries he’s had means that he is now past his best as well, so focusing on players like Richards is the best use of Luton’s resources for the time being.