Hull City clause should not mean Luton Town player's career is over: View | OneFootball

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards should consider giving defender Ryan Giles another chance next season if he does not join Hull City.

Luton Town are preparing for life back in the Championship after their relegation from the Premier League.

The Hatters were promoted to the Premier League after beating Coventry City on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley in the 2022-23 season, completing a remarkable journey that saw the club go from non-league to the top flight within nine years.

Luton performed admirably in the Premier League, but they lacked the quality needed to compete in the division, and they were relegated with a total of just 26 points.

There were fears among Hatters supporters that the club could lose manager Rob Edwards this summer after he was linked with Ipswich Town, but after Kieran McKenna signed a new deal at Portman Road, the 41-year-old is set to remain in charge.

It could be a busy summer as Edwards looks to rebuild his squad, and a host of senior players have left the club at the end of their contracts, including Dan Potts, Luke Berry, Fred Onyedinma and Admiral Muskwe, while one of this season's star performers, Ross Barkley, is set to join Aston Villa.

There could be further departures at Kenilworth Road over the coming months, and one player who is facing an uncertain future is defender Ryan Giles.

Giles became Luton's club record signing when he made the move from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer for a fee of £5 million, but after making just 14 appearances for the Hatters, he joined Hull City on loan in January.

Hull reportedly have an obligation to buy Giles for £4 million this summer, but his permanent switch to the MKM Stadium is yet to be completed, and if the Tigers decide against re-signing him, Edwards should consider giving him a chance in the Championship next season.

Ryan Giles should not be written off at Luton Town

Giles started Luton's first three games of the season in the Premier League, but his game time became limited thereafter, with Alfie Doughty establishing himself as Edwards' first choice left wing-back.

It was no surprise to see Giles loaned out in January, and speaking prior to his departure, Edwards described him as "a fantastic person", but he admitted that his move to Hull was "the right one for him and the football club as well".

Edwards' decision to drop Giles was vindicated as Doughty went on to enjoy an excellent season, scoring three goals and providing eight assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, but the Hatters could be vulnerable to losing him this summer amid interest from Brentford.

It would be a big blow for Luton if Doughty was to depart, but the club may already have the perfect replacement on their books in Giles, and Edwards should bring him back into the fold if he does not join Hull.

There are question marks over whether the Tigers will look to sign Giles this summer after owner Acun Ilicali revealed he can only invest £14-15 million of his own money this summer due to the EFL's financial regulations, and with the club needing to strengthen in the forward areas, he may be reluctant to spend £4 million of his budget on a defender.

The fact that the Hatters included an option for Hull to buy Giles permanently in the loan deal could suggest he is not part of Edwards' plans going forward, but with the club now in the Championship and Doughty attracting attention from elsewhere, his stance could change.

Giles found it tough during his loan spell at Hull, providing just one assist in 17 appearances for the Tigers, and he lost his place towards the end of the season, but he has shown previously he can be an excellent performer in the second tier.

The 24-year-old enjoyed an outstanding loan spell at Middlesbrough in the 2022-23 season, playing a crucial role as Michael Carrick's side reached the play-offs.

Giles showed how much of an attacking threat he can be during his time at the Riverside Stadium, and he could thrive in the left wing-back role in Edwards' system in the Championship next season.

Hull are not the only potential destination for Giles this summer, with former club Boro said to be interested in bringing him back on loan, so Luton do have options if they are still keen to cash in on him this summer.

However, the Hatters would be strengthening a promotion rival if they allow Giles to join Hull or Boro, and Edwards should think carefully before sanctioning his permanent departure, particularly if he was to lose Doughty.