Exclusive: Wycombe respond after £6m Luton Town bid for Richard Kone

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

29 Jan 2025, 11:58 am

Wycombe have rejected Luton's latest bid worth up to £6million for striker Richard Kone, sources have told Football Insider.

This was the third approach that the Championship side have made for Kone, after their initial approach for the Ivorian on 22 January was also turned down.

Despite the substantial fee that Wycombe could receive for the 21-year-old, time is running out in the January transfer window, and replacing him could be difficult at this late stage.

The Ivorian has been in immense form for the Chairboys, scoring 16 goals in 28 matches in League One.

Kone scored twice against Barnsley (28 January), in a 2-1 win that extended the gap with third-place Wrexham to six points.

Luton running out of time to agree Kone deal with Wycombe

Luton manager Matt Bloomfield left Wycombe in January to join the Championship strugglers, and has identified Kone as a major target this window.

The Hatters are the fourth-lowest scorers in the division, and Carlton Morris leads the goal-scoring charts for the club with seven strikes.

Kone is more composed in front of goal this season - having only scored four times last year - and has quickly become one of League One's most exciting talents.

Matt Bloomfield left Wycombe replaced Rob Edwards as Luton manager (Credit: Getty Images)

Having only joined last season from ninth-tier Carshalton Athletic, Kone is now Wycombe's star player, and he signed a two-year contract extension in 2024 [BBC Sport].

Bloomfield is also keen on signing Tyreeq Bakinson from his former club, as Luton may compete with Standard Liege for the winger's signature.

In other news, one of Luton's strikers may be leaving to join Wycombe's rivals Wrexham in January.

For more Luton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

Luton Town

Wycombe Wanderers