Luton Search for Midfield Balance with Barnsley Star a Target

Luton Monitoring Luca Connell with Deadline Day Bid Planned

With Jack Wilshere at the helm, Luton Town have looked like a competitive League One side once again - however, there is still plenty of room for improvement if they are to barge their way into the play-offs.

A consistent trend throughout the season has been a lack of control in the midfield, and it seems that is the area Wilshere wants to address on deadline day, as, according to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, they are considering a move for Barnsley’s Luca Connell.

Luca to Luton?

Playing for fellow League One rivals Barnsley, Connell is a proven player at the third-tier level and, at times this season, has shown himself to be capable of playing at an even higher level.

Aged just 24, the Irishman has plenty of time to develop, and it is clear that his ceiling is high - he has superb vision, an excellent passing range, and an audacity that one would expect of a far more senior player.

Luton Town are trying to land Barnsley captain Luca Connell. The League One rivals have been in talks over a deal 🟠🔵⚪️ 🎩https://t.co/nvidt3eGgn

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) February 2, 2026

However, valued at over £800,000, it would be a hefty outlay for a League Two side, and they would likely need to sell an existing player to create both the room and the funds for a deal for Connell.

A mainstay in the Barnsley first team since 20, Connell’s ability is reflected by the fact that, despite there being many more senior players than him in the Barnsley squad, he is the one with the captain’s armband, an honour given to only the most driven and ambitious players on the team.

With 29 appearances, two goals and three assists to his name so far this season, Barnsley will be hard pushed to replace their captain should a move go through, and sitting just five points above the drop zone, may suddenly need to look at relegation as a distinct possibility.

Conversely for Luton, Connell would represent a serious coup - with added presence in the midfield, the Hatters could finally make a real push towards returning to the Championship at the first time of asking.