Luton are reportedly interested in Barnsley captain once more

Luton are reportedly showing an interest in signing Barnsley captain Luca Connell once more during the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old, who came through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers, then heading to Scottish Premier League giants Celtic, was snapped up by the Tykes back in June 2022. Since moving to Oakwell, Connell has made 171 appearances for the South Yorkshire club, scoring nine goals, including four in 48 outings last term, netting in the 5-0 hammering of the Hatters early on in Jack Wilshere’s reign at Kenilworth Road.

The Republic of Ireland youth international, who has been capped at U17 to U21 level for his country, was believed to be one of a number of players that Town were after in January, Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath claiming that Luton had been in discussions over a deadline day move for the Barnsley club captain, when writing: “Luton Town are reportedly looking to land another midfielder on transfer deadline day, with reports linking them with a move for Barnsley captain Luca Connell.”

With Town missing out on the play-offs this season by a single point and Barnsley finishing in 15th position, while manager Conor Hourihane has now left the club with ex-Tykes boss Daniel Stendel returning in his place, it has been rumoured that Wilshere, who has also been linked with Falkirk's out of contract midfielder Dylan Tait, is once more trying to acquire the talented playmaker from his League One rivals, although faces competition from several Championship clubs too.

Asked in February about the transfer speculation from the winter window, Connell had told The Yorkshire Post: "It's one of those things. A lot of the time, things are out of your control and you've just got to see where it leads you to the next day. Obviously, I'm still at Barnsley and I'd like to think that (with) the reaction after the window has shut - and all the speculation - you can see that I have reacted quite well and that's all that matters.”

Connell did make it quite clear that he has ambitions to play higher than the third tier he currently occupies though, adding: “It's disappointing for all the fans if they think that all their players wanted to stay in League One. After all, they want to be in the Championship and all the other players want to play in higher leagues. That's definitely the aim, to get to the Championship. However we do it, if it's individually or with the club, it's everyone's aim and that's what everyone is working hard for.”