Luton Town should snub Brentford interest to keep key star: View | OneFootball

Luton Town will need to stand tall against Brentford to keep one of their stars for their Championship return.

The Athletic reported this week that Luton wing-back Alfie Doughty is among the top targets for Thomas Frank this summer. The 24-year-old impressed in the Premier League in 23/24, tallying a solid eight assists and netting twice. He looked physically and technically able to compete in the top flight, making Brentford a logical and sensible destination if the Englishman did decide to leave Kenilworth Road.

It's fairly easy to argue that Doughty was one of, if not the best Luton player this season. He has been effective on the left but is one of those invaluable players who can be inserted just about anywhere wide - a rare quality for a top-flight footballer, who are usually recognised by their single position.

Brentford will surely be looking at Doughty as a solution to their ever-evolving injury crisis in the position, having lost left-backs Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry through injury. The former, like Doughty, was looked at as an exciting young wide player who had strength going forward, as seen in his playing days with Bologna where he scored five times in the 21/22 season in Serie A.

The Hatters will go into the season under Rob Edwards with one of the stronger squads in the Championship, so they will be hoping to keep their better players and bounce back to get promoted at the first time of asking.

Building a second-division super squad

Edwards has got a capable squad on his hands that has looked promising in spells, standing toe-to-toe with the likes of Newcastle United in high-scoring, attacking matches. Whilst they didn't quite cut it this season in the Premier League, they would surely thrive in the second division as an improved and refined outfit.

Doughty is one of the most important cogs in the Luton engine, playing on the left in a 3-5-2 that has already found success in earning promotion. Replacing him would be incredibly difficult, as the Englishman has found his place in the team as a key crosser and set-piece taker.

Crosses have been utilised well by the Hatters to create confusion in the box and source opportunities for the likes of Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris to find the back of the net in what can only be described as route one play.

He's also a point of consistency, having played 37 games in his first season in the top flight. He has been a marvel this season with a range of eye-watering stats, like his 70 chances created and 89 successful crosses, according to Fotmob. In addition, his defensive tracking-back and work rate is second to none, recovering the ball from the opposition 185 times and winning 40 tackles. That FotMob shows those stats to be among the best at his position in the top flight is further evidence that he is an all-around gem.

London calling

What is still up in the air is how much Luton need to sell in order to balance the books following their relegation. The simple fact is that to stay competitive in their wing-heavy tactical style under Edwards, they'll need Doughty and other impressive wide players like Chiedozie Ogbene.

There is all the evidence to suggest that Doughty is ready to keep playing top-flight football at this stage in his career, with The Bees being an obvious platform to step onto. The London-based club have already been splashing cash on big transfers, the most notable being Igor Thiago from Club Brugge for £36 million - a club record.

The inevitable sale of Ivan Toney will also create an influx of cash, putting Brentford in a position where they can make Luton an offer they can't refuse for Doughty. They should certainly hold out and try to keep a player who may prove pivotal in next season's dogfight for the top positions.