Luton Town are interested in signing a Crystal Palace youngster on a permanent basis according to the South London Press.
Town were relegated during their inaugural Premier League season despite a promising season under former Watford boss Rob Edwards. Despite returning to the second division, the 41-year-old was signed to a new four-year deal two weeks ago.
But the Hatters have been hit with the news that Ross Barkley has left the club to join Premier League side Aston Villa, with the former Sheffield Wednesday loanee wanting more opportunities to play for England. Combined with losing Luke Berry and Albert Sambi Lokonga, The Hatters are in need of midfield options.
Their departures have left a hole in the middle of the park for Luton, and according to Edmund Brack, the club are seeking to sign Crystal Palace’s David Ozoh on a permanent basis. The 19-year-old was a sporadic player for The Eagles last season, making nine appearances from the bench in the Premier League.
The German manager has moved to already strengthen his midfield with the signing of Daichi Kamada from former club Eintracht Frankfurt. The Japanese international arrives at Selhurst Park on a two-year deal following his release from Serie A side Lazio.
A graduate of the Palace academy system, Ozoh also has to compete with Kamada, Will Hughes, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma and former Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton for places in the senior squad. Ozoh has regularly featured in the Premier League 2, where his side finished ninth in the table.
Luton are not the only Championship side interested in signing the Valencia-born player, with Plymouth Argyle having previously enquired about the England Under 18’s international for a loan move.
Writer’s View
David Ozoh is an emerging talent at Crystal Palace, so it would be understandable why a possible loan deal to a Championship side was mooted. Minutes are likely to be limited with the breakout season Adam Wharton had last season and the signing of Daichi Kamada, so in order to aid his development a move away would be the best choice.
Luton Town are short in the midfield currently and whilst it would be a left-field option to take on a youngster like Ozoh, it may be tempting for the player to take the chance. The Hatters do have other options to look at such as former player Albert Sambi Lokonga who is now a free agent following his release from Arsenal. Palace would likely not let go of the 19-year-old easily permanently, so Town should assess other choices before making a move.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
