Edwards happy to keep Mengi following unhelpful rumours over Luton defender's future

​Luton boss Rob Edwards declared his pleasure at being able to keep hold of in-demand centre half Teden Mengi during the recent transfer window, after what he labelled were unhelpful rumours about his future.

The former Manchester United youngster was linked with a number of clubs before the deadline passed, with rumours increasing in the final week that he had agreed a deal to join Serie A side Torino. However, despite increased speculation, that transfer never materialised, as the England U21 international remained at Kenilworth Road, coming off the bench at half time during Friday night's 2-1 home defeat to QPR.

On the 22-year-old still being a Hatter, Edwards said: “I’ve been pretty confident all along. I know there’s been so much talk and rumours, it’s not helpful, but that happens, I know that. We’re pleased, I think when he’s right at it, at this level he can be really, really effective.”

With Town adding midfielder Lamine Fanne from Swedish top flight club AIK just before 11pm on Friday, Town chairman David Wilkinson was of the opinion that the transfer window shouldn’t be open for business once the campaign has begun due to the problems it causes clubs. Writing in the programme ahead of the home clash against QPR, he added: “As Rob and Gary (Sweet, CEO) have said before, this is the most difficult window they have seen.

"It started late because of the Euros, is fraught with Financial Fair play considerations and for us is affected by the fact that we have been in the Premier League with many believing we should be paying more for players given the parachute payment we receive. Our whole philosophy is based upon the long-term future of this football club. We have had ‘fly by nights’ in charge of the club in the past and have learned that while ‘blowing your brains out’ may have short term benefits, it is more than likely to lead to long-term decline.

"We see it all around us and won’t get sucked in. We love our football club and want future generations to love it too. We will stick to our principles so that it is here for them to enjoy. As a board we bleed orange and hundreds of years of following the club. Of course, we are ambitious and are still building the club. New stadium, improved training facilities, academy upgrade, additions to the squad all make us more effective and more sustainable.

"It has always seemed to me that it is crazy for the window to be open once the season has started because you really don’t have a settled side until it closes. Is someone going to come in and tempt away one of our most important players? Will a bid we have made be accepted in the last minute? I’m told the main reason is that it gives those clubs who qualify for UEFA competitions a chance to bolster the squads. That’s a reason for disrupting everyone else?”