Hatters defender linked with Bloomfield reunion at Oxford United

Luton defender Christ Makosso has been linked with move to Championship outfit Oxford United where he would be reunited former Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield.

The 41-year-old was appointed in charge at the Kassam Stadium earlier this month and has led his new side to five points from a possible nine, with goalless draws against Bristol City and QPR, then winning 2-1 at Leicester City on the weekend. During Bloomfield’s time in charge at Kenilworth Road, he handed Makosso his Football League debut when coming off the bench at Watford in a 2-0 defeat for the Hatters, as the Congo international went on to start the final 12 games of the campaign, becoming a real favourite with Town supporters, winning the club’s Young Player of the Season and Signing of the Season awards.

Makosso remained a first team regular this term, starting every League One fixture he was available for, with eight appearances, although ultimately ended up being shifted out to an unfamiliar right back role as Bloomfield eventually swapped to a back four. When he was sacked and Jack Wilshere took over in October, the defender, who moved to Bedfordshire just over 12 months ago, began his first game, a 2-0 loss to Mansfield, with his next league start not happening until earlier this month when he got 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Stevenage.

A disappointing showing in the 2-1 Vertu Trophy defeat to Swindon saw Makosso then back on the bench for Luton’s last three third tier games, as Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke is now reporting that the ex-RWD Molenbeek defender could be heading to the U’s, saying: “Oxford United have opened talks to sign Luton Town defender Christ Makosso, sources have told Football Insider. Oxford boss Matt Bloomfield is a big fan of the defender having worked with him during his time in charge of Luton and he is keen for a reunion.”

Luton chief Wilshere has already admitted that he might be willing to let Makosso leave the club temporarily, as speaking after there were rumours of a loan move to Belgian Pro League side Cercle Brugge during the January transfer window, he said: “Christ wants to play and I love that about him. I praised his attitude after the Stevenage game when he stepped in and his attitude that allowed him to have a performance like that, just fit in.

"Christ is committed, number one. He’s here right now, he knows that he’s probably not the first centre back and you can see Mads (Andersen) has been outstanding, so I think Christ has found it difficult to get into the team because of Mads as that’s his natural position. If we can keep him here and he’s happy to do that and fight for his place then I’m happy with that as it gives you competition for places. I also understand that he wants to play and he needs to play, so I think we could be open.

"Christ has been excellent with that and he’s knocked on my door and asked for the things that he needs to get better at and we’ve been clear with him, but he’s also then gone away and tried to do that. His attitude has been top, but I also then understand that we have a player there that’s high value in my opinion. If he can go out and get games, then I think that’s better for us right now, so let’s see what happens.”