Luton Town and Rangers in transfer talks for £3m Hatters star | OneFootball

New Rangers manager Russell Martin has set his sights on Luton Town midfielder Thelo Aasgaard as his Ibrox rebuild continues.

Rangers are reportedly in talks with Luton Town over the potential signing of midfielder Thelo Aasgaard.

Aasgaard came through the Wigan Athletic academy, and after scoring 30 goals and providing 11 assists in 163 appearances for the Latics, he made the move to Luton in January for a fee of £3 million.

The 23-year-old immediately established himself in the team, starting all of his side's final 17 games after arriving at Kenilworth Road, and he made a big impact as the Hatters' form improved significantly under Matt Bloomfield in the second half of the season.

Unfortunately for Luton, their revival came a little too late to save their Championship status, and they were relegated to League One on goal difference after a 5-3 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season.

As they prepare for life back in the third tier, the Hatters have already lost two key players this summer, with goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and striker Carlton Morris joining Charlton Athletic and Derby County respectively, and it seems that Aasgaard could be the next to depart as, according to the Daily Mail, Rangers are now in talks to sign the midfielder.

Rangers holding talks with Luton Town over potential Thelo Aasgaard deal

After a disappointing season that saw them finish 15 points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers are now under new management, with Russell Martin being named as Philippe Clement's permanent replacement last month.

Having spent his entire managerial career in England with MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton, Martin has brought in two players from south of the border since taking over at Ibrox, with defender Max Aarons and midfielder Joe Rothwell joining from Bournemouth.

It appears that Martin is again looking to the English leagues as he continues his Gers rebuild, with the Scottish giants currently believed to be holding discussions with Luton over the signing of Aasgaard, and the midfielder may be keen to leave Kenilworth Road this summer after being warned that his international future could be under threat if he remains at the club in League One next season.

Aasgaard made his senior debut for Norway in March, and he got on the scoresheet and provided an assist in a 5-0 win over Moldova, but his international manager, Stale Solbakken, urged him to find a new club this summer in order to remain in contention for selection.

"It was a calculated risk. Luton were in a difficult situation when Thelo changed clubs, but it goes without saying that it is difficult to play for the national team if you play in League One. He knows this," Solbakken told Nettavisen Sport in May.

"There are many leagues he can play in. He is a versatile midfielder with good qualities both offensively and defensively."

The Hatters may be reluctant to sell Aasgaard less than six months after signing him, but according to the Daily Mail, the League One outfit are expected to "bank a decent profit" on the £3 million they paid Wigan in January.

Thelo Aasgaard leaving Luton Town for Rangers could suit all parties

Given that Aasgaard starred in League One for Wigan, Luton will not want to lose him this summer, but as shown by the exits of Kaminski and Morris, high-profile departures were inevitable after relegation.

Aasgaard is a highly-rated talent who has impressed in the EFL in recent years, so he would be an exciting signing for Rangers as they begin a new era under Martin, while a move to Ibrox would enable him to continue to play at a decent level and keep himself in the frame for international selection.

Even though the Hatters would ideally like to keep hold of Aasgaard, it is thought that they will make a healthy profit on the midfielder, and that will provide Bloomfield with funds to reinvest in the squad and find a replacement.