Sheffield Wednesday launch possible loan move for struggling Luton striker

Luton’s misfiring striker Jerry Yates could be on his way out of Kenilworth Road during the transfer window, having been linked with a loan move to Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.

The 29-year-old summer signing joined on the eve of the Hatters’ opening night 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon back in August, going on to start seven of the club’s first nine games in all competitions under previous boss Matt Bloomfield. With many supporters hoping Yates would be the forward to score the goals that would spearhead an instant return to the second tier, he was up and running in the 4-1 Vertu Trophy victory over Barnet, and then netted a maiden league strike when on target from the penalty spot in the 3-2 loss against Plymouth Argyle.

However, he struggled to hit the target afterwards, suffering concussion against Lincoln City which saw him ruled out for a few weeks, and when Jack Wilshere took over, had to wait until the 0-0 against Rotherham to earn his first start, before getting a run under the new manager, beginning games against Huddersfield and Bolton Wanderers as he bagged his second League One goal in the 2-1 win over the Terriers, sliding Lamine Fanne’s shot over the line from a matter of inches.

Since then though, he has had a limited role in the side, beginning the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in December, as he was also in the side for the 1-0 defeat at Exeter City on New Year’s Day, earning some ironic cheers from the away end when taken off at St James Park. Having come on during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle, Yates was then not even on the bench at Huddersfield Town in midweek, as Wilshere went with Jordan Clark as the makeshift number nine.

Despite netting 10 in the Championship for Derby County last term, and being prolific for both Blackpool and Swindon earlier in his career, with a £2.5m move to Swansea City in July 2023, it hasn’t worked out for the forward, who has seven goals this term, albeit three of them from the penalty spot and four coming in the Vertu Trophy. He is now being linked with a move to an Owls side who haven’t scored for their last seven games and will be relegated this season after being deducted 18 points for entering administration and also further regulation breaches.

An article on BBC Sheffield said: “Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to complete the signing of Luton Town striker Jerry Yates before the weekend. The Owls, who need EFL approval for any signing made while they remain in administration, would be adding the 29-year-old on loan. Yates, who only joined the Hatters last August for a reported seven-figure fee, will be looking to bolster Wednesday's attack, with the club failing to score a goal in their past seven games.”