Chesterfield have identified their next forward target in Luton Town‘s Aribim Pepple as they look to bolster their attacking options.
The Spireites are in a very sticky spot with long-term injuries for Paddy Madden and Will Grigg, with the former slowly regaining his fitness. It forced the club to recall Kane Drummond from his loan at Oldham Athletic, with the 24-year-old playing in their last eight games.
Pepple Next On Target List
According to the Derbyshire Times, Pepple has become a player of interest to Paul Cook’s side whilst playing for National League side Southend United, where he has recorded seven goals and two assists across 17 starts for The Shrimpers. The Canadian is yet to play for parent club Luton Town but does have previous EFL and League Two experience with a stint at Grimsby Town in 2022.
He becomes the third forward linked to Chesterfield in the window, with York City denying the rumour that star player Dipo Akinyemi was heading to the club, followed by the last-minute swoop from Bradford City to take Burnley‘s Michael Mellon away from Derbyshire after the season-ending injury to Andy Cook.
It is believed that Luton are set to curtail Pepple’s loan in Essex, with the Southend Echo reporting that The Hatters have a recall clause for the first 10 days of January included in the deal, which they are set to activate.
Writer’s View
Aribim Pepple has earned a move back into the EFL and with Chesterfield, he has a good opportunity of game time whilst Will Grigg and Paddy Madden are short of full fitness. Whilst there is certainly an argument to be made that he should have stayed at Southend, Luton will have been convinced he can make the step up to League Two now and Paul Cook’s side are a great opportunity to develop with. He did struggle whilst at Grimsby Town but this successful spell with The Shrimpers will undoubtedly give him a boost of confidence should a deal be reached here.
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.
