Players coming to the end of their contracts have made it possible for the Hatters to add Fraser Horsfall and Will Collar, two first-team regulars, without going over budget.
At Edgeley Park, owner Mark Stott has outlined his plans to sign Aston Villa sensation Louie Barry to a long-term contract, so any money saved on transfer costs this season in particular will be greatly appreciated.
Charlie Lakin has recently been let go by League One outfit Burton Albion after a successful loan spell at the back end of last season with Sutton United. His temporary club were struggling and ended up suffering relegation to the National League but, despite that, Lakin managed to pick up eight goals and five assists in just 21 games. The 25-year-old therefore seems destined for a level higher than the bottom end of the fourth tier, despite his release from the Brewers, and could be a perfect, low-cost replacement for the creativity lost in midfield at Edgeley Park through the release of Antoni Sarcevic.
Lakin has also filled in numerous positions throughout his career besides his natural midfield role; adaptability that will be attractive to a County team that suffered countless injuries last season and were required to field players out of position at times to cope. A move that sees him take his place back in League One would likely be attractive to the player, and his track record suggests he could be a useful asset to the Hatters.Attacking midfielder Dan Kemp is another intriguing option that showed promise while on loan last season. Kemp scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in his brief stint at Swindon Town in League Two. He failed to rekindle this form upon his return to Stadium MK, however, with just five goal involvements in 21 appearances in the second half of the campaign. Kemp is leaving the team on the expiration of his contract, and his time away from MK suggests that perhaps he needs a new environment. With Sarcevic’s departure, Edgeley Park now has room for a goalscoring midfielder, and Kemp has also played as a winger at various points.
