Football League World
·29 August 2024
Football League World
·29 August 2024
Teden Mengi could be on his way to Italy, with the Serie A side close to agreeing personal terms with the player.
Torino have opened talks to sign Luton Town centre-back Teden Mengi amid links to Wolves.
That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who has also reported that the Serie A club are close to striking a breakthrough on personal terms.
The Hatters have seen one of their key centre-backs attract plenty of interest during the summer transfer window, with Wolves recently being linked with a move for him and Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic.
Mengi, who did fairly well at times last season, has also been linked with moves to Lens and Nice this summer, with a potential move to France looking to have been an option at one point.
However, no one has been able to strike an agreement with the Hatters at this stage and unless they are able to before the deadline, the former Manchester United player will be remaining at Kenilworth Road for at least the first half of the season.
Luton have made a poor start to the 2024/25 campaign and with promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking not guaranteed, some of their key first-teamers could potentially be keen to secure a switch away from Bedfordshire.
Chiedozie Ogbene has already done this, making a move to Ipswich Town, who have strengthened their squad considerably since securing back-to-back promotions from League One to the top flight.
In terms of the Hatters' centre-back area, they have been benefitted by the arrival of Tom Holmes, who was signed back in January but only moved back to Kenilworth Road in the summer after being loaned back to Reading.
Mark McGuinness has already arrived in a big-money move and could be a crucial addition at the back after the departure of Gabriel Osho.
However, they could be set to lose an important central defender, with a move to Italy potentially on the horizon for Mengi.
Romano has reported that the Italian club are now in talks with the Hatters, as they look to agree a deal for Mengi.
They are yet to strike a breakthrough in negotiations with Rob Edwards' side, but they are thought to be close to agreeing personal terms with the centre-back.
Mengi recently changed his agency and they could be set to secure their client a move.
However, as mentioned above, a deal still needs to be agreed between the two teams and at this stage, it seems as though an agreement is yet to be reached.
They have until the end of play tomorrow to try and get an agreement over the line.
Mengi is an important player at Kenilworth Road and having already sold Ogbene, keeping hold of him would make sense.
The Hatters didn't spend a huge amount during their time at the top level and this could give them more of a license to keep hold of players.
Mengi is young enough to improve and be an asset at Kenilworth Road in the coming years - and he could be a key figure in guiding his team up the Championship table.
Losing him would be a blow and it's not as if they have much time to bring in a replacement.
With this in mind, it would probably be a good idea to retain him.
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