Luton Town head coach Jack Wilshere has made clear that some members of his squad are free to leave this summer, with uncertainty continuing around several squad members.
The Hatters are preparing for life in League One after relegation from the Championship, and Wilshere has confirmed that conversations have already taken place with players whose futures at Kenilworth Road appear uncertain.
Speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties, Wilshere explained that he had been direct with those players at the end of last season, although he did not name the individuals involved.
“I was really clear with that at the end of the season, but I was really clear with the group of players that you were talking about. I won’t name names because I don’t think it’s fair to them.
“I wanted them to be clear because from my experience as a player sometimes those difficult conversations aren’t always nice but actually at the end of it you’ve got clarity and you understand where you’re at.
“I made that clear to them. I’ve made it clear they can leave and look for something else but if they don’t before pre-season starts that there will be another training group.”
Millenic Alli’s position has come under scrutiny after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Portsmouth. The forward joined the south coast club in January and began brightly, before his form dipped during a demanding run of Championship starts.
The 26-year-old had fallen out of favour at Luton before that temporary move, having been absent from seven matchday squads prior to Wilshere’s appointment in October. That left questions over his long-term role at Kenilworth Road, particularly given he had only joined the Hatters from Exeter City in a reported £1.5 million deal in January 2025.
Wilshere has now explained that those not currently in his core first-team plans have been placed in a separate training group, both to protect the main squad and to ensure players seeking moves remain fit enough to secure their next step.
“It’s really important that we protect what we had, what we built in terms of unity and togetherness but also give those players the right support because if we want to get them out we need them to be sharp, need them to be fit, need them to be ready.
“It’s more work for us as coaches but we’re trying to protect that group that we’ve got.”
Interesting Luton Town situation emerging
Alli’s situation, in particular, is one to watch as Luton reshapes following relegation. Wilshere has been clear that he wants a focused group for the League One campaign, while those outside his plans will be given the chance to move on. For Alli, that leaves an uncertain few weeks ahead.
His Portsmouth loan gave him regular football, but did not settle his future at Kenilworth Road. With departures already expected and agents working on next steps, Luton’s stance suggests there could be further movement before the window closes, particularly if a club is prepared to offer Alli a fresh start.
