Hatters reportedly closing in on a loan move for Ipswich starlet

Luton Town are being heavily linked with yet another loan move ahead of the transfer window shutting this evening, as Ipswich Town youngster Tudor Mendel is tipped to be heading to Kenilworth Road.

The 21-year-old was originally with Chelsea as a youngster, playing 21 times in the U18s Premier League and FA Youth Cup in the 2021-22 campaign, with six goals and three assists. He then featured in the Blues’ EFL Trophy team during the following campaign against Peterborough, also playing in the UEFA Youth league too, before with a further 12 outings in the U18s Premier League where he had six goals and three assists.

Mendel joined Belgian side Anderlecht on a three year deal in July 27, 2023, playing 16 Challenger Pro League outings for the club’s Futures side, scoring once, then switching to Portman Road 12 months later. While with the Tractor Boys, he netted three times and added two assists in seven Premier League Cup matches before last season, he featured 25 times in total for the clubs youth age-groups, scoring eight goals with six assists.

That form led to a his first senior outing this term in the Carabao Cup last month, coming off the bench in the closing stages of the 3-1 win over Leicester City, as has also add three assists in two Premier League 2 and National League Cup matches. Writing for Kings of Anglia, chief football writer Stuart Watson has stated the winger, who signed a new two year contract with the Tractor Boys last week, with the option of a further 12 months, will now head to Luton to continue his development under Jack Wilshere’s guidance.

Discussing his new deal, Tudor, whose 18 goal contributions in 20 games for John McGreal’s U21s side saw him named the club’s Academy Player of the Year, going on started Town’s pre-season fixtures against Wycombe Wanderers and Le Havre and accompanying the first team to the training camp in Germany, told the official website: “I am very happy to sign because I feel at home and settled at Ipswich. This means that I can keep on progressing within the support structure that we all get here as young players.

“It was a very proud moment to have made my competitive senior debut. I’m now focused on improving and repaying the faith that has been shown in me. I want to thank the Academy staff for their help in my development and making the transition as easy as possible and also the first-team staff and Gary O’Neil for giving me the opportunity.”

Academy Manager, Ben Chenery, said: “We are incredibly pleased that Tudor has committed his future to the football club. Tudor is an exciting talent, who is constantly striving to be the best version he can be, both on and off the pitch. It was a proud moment for our academy for him to have made his competitive senior debut and become a benchmark for other players within the system.”