Opinion: Luton Town should consider temporary summer departure for 2021 signing

The signing of Carlos Mendes Gomes by Luton Town back in the summer of 2021 did feel like a rather exciting one for the Hatters.

Having scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 46 league and play-off games to fire Morecambe to an odds-defying promotion from League Two the previous campaign – including a nerveless penalty to seal promotion against Newport at Wembley – and at just 22-year-old, it felt as though the winger had much to offer in both the immediate and long term at Kenilworth Road.

However, things have yet to really work out as you feel Mendes Gomes would have hoped since he swapped the North West for Bedfordshire around 12 months ago.

During his debut campaign with Nathan Jones’ side, the winger managed to start just two Championship games, the last of which came all the way back in December.

Indeed, the young attacker would manage just ten league appearances in total during that first season with the Hatters, with just three substitute appearances in the Championship since the turn of the year.

As a result, it does feel as though it could be argued that Luton may have a significant decision over Mendes Gomes’ future to consider, with the summer transfer window now on the horizon.

It is worth noting that the 2020/21 season in which he proved so crucial to Morecambe’s promotion to League One, was the first time that Mendes Gomes had played first-team football on a near weekly basis, something which allowed him to thrive with his impact in front of goal.

Prior to that, the winger had managed just two goals in 31 league appearances across two seasons for the Shrimps, as he made the step up to senior football.

With that in mind, it does seem as though Mendes Gomes could be the sort of player who thrives off