Watford FC transfer news must worry Luton Town supporters: View | OneFootball

Joe Taylor has been linked with a move to the Hatters' local rivals this summer

Luton Town striker Joe Taylor has been linked with a surprise move to the Bedfordshire club's arch-rivals Watford during the summer transfer window.

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim the Hornets are one of a number of Championship clubs said to be keeping tabs on the former Peterborough striker as of late.

The 21-year-old impressed in loan spells at Colchester United and Lincoln City in the previous campaign, as he netted 21 league goals during his two loan stints, and gathered a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the Football League.

The Hatters will be reluctant to let the forward leave for their local rivals though, given his prowess in front of goal during the previous campaign.

In his short professional career to date, Taylor has proven that he has what it takes to be a top striker in the EFL, with his highlights reel from the previous campaign proving he has the calmness in front of goal to make all the difference for any side he plays for.

Having brought the striker to the club in the January transfer window of 2023, Town have failed to see the full talents of the 21-year-old to date, with just a single league start to his name during his time at Kenilworth Road so far, although Taylor did come off the bench in their Championship play-off final success in 2023, with his goal in extra time ruled out for offside.

Instead, the young star has had to prove his worth lower down the football pyramid, with 11 goals in 25 games for Colchester United at the start of the campaign, proving his talents to a wider audience for the first time.

The striker was quickly plucked from the U’s and tested at a higher level, as a move to Sincil Bank to join up with Lincoln City followed during the January transfer window, and just as before, Taylor fired in the goals on a regular basis to aid Michael Skubala’s third tier play-off challenge with the Imps.

Despite failing to find the back of the net in his first five matches for City, all the signs were there that Taylor had an intelligent football brain and possessed the talents to shine once again at a higher level.

And once he made the breakthrough in a 1-0 victory over Exeter City, the striker couldn’t stop scoring; with nine goals in as many games making him one of the most in-form strikers in the country for two months of the season.

A brace against Cambridge United, a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers; the goals, as well as the admirers, kept on coming for Taylor, who did his reputation no harm with his efforts over the past 12 months.

For that reason alone, Luton need to halt any advances for the 21-year-old at the earliest opportunity, and give the striker the opportunity he deserves to prove himself for the recently relegated side.

After his recent showings, there is no reason why he can’t do similar at Championship level - the goalposts don’t move after all - and with the added quality of his teammates he could have even more goalscoring opportunities to gobble up if he stayed with the Hatters.

Luton Town striker conundrum could be solved by Joe Taylor

After dropping down from the Premier League in May, Town have had interest in their front-man Elijah Adebayo from clubs across Europe, after his eye-catching displays in the top flight last season.

The former Walsall man is said to be of interest to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce this summer, who have former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in charge.

Town boss Rob Edwards has claimed he will welcome phone calls about their top talents this summer, although whether they are willing to sell if another story altogether.

But if an offer does come in that is too good to turn down for Adebayo, Town should be well aware that they have a striker ready to be thrown into the action in Taylor, with the forward eager to prove himself after his success in the past year - even if they are two completely different players stylistcally.

Whatever happens, a move to Watford should be blocked at all costs, with his arrival likely to boost any club in the Championship if he did leave, and giving the Hornets a helping hand is the last thing they would want to do, given they are the bitterest of rivals.

It's hard to see the two clubs striking a loan agreement ever for any player, and whilst Taylor would probably be an asset worth trying to buy for the Hornets, given their lack of goalscoring prowess at the top end of the pitch right now, the 21-year-old is someone worth persisting with for Rob Edwards and his staff.