17 February 2024 , 20:30
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Bayer Leverkusen are keeping tabs on Luton Town defender Teden Mengi.
The Bundesliga table toppers' chief UK scout Matthew Green was present at Kenilworth Road last weekend for the Hatters' shock 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United. It's understood he had intended to watch 21-year-old Mengi in the flesh having also held dialogue with Luton's chief executive Gary Sweet.
However, the promising young central defender was an unused substitute due to discomfort in his ankle after establishing himself as a regular starter under Rob Edwards this season following his summer transfer from boyhood club Manchester United.
United included a substantial sell-on clause in the deal that saw Mengi join last season's Championship play-off winners meaning the Red Devils would be set to profit from any future transfer.
Scout, Green joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer from Brighton after spending nearly five years with the Seagulls.
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He has now taken up the role of Head of UK and Emerging Talents in Germany - leading a scouting network that spans across the Premier League, Championship and into niche European markets such as France's Ligue 2, Turkey, Switzerland, Scandinavia and more.
Xabi Alonso's side currently sit top of the Bundesliga table following last weekend's statement 3-0 demolition of title rivals Bayern Munich. Bayer Leverkusen have built an admirable reputation for cherry-picking and nurturing young talent before moving them on for mega profits.
Last month, Luton boss Edwards ruled out a swift mid-season departure for Mengi amid reported interest from Crystal Palace and Fulham.
Teden Mengi has dazzled for Luton Town this season (Getty Images)The 41-year-old said: “It just shows that the lads are doing well. T’s been a revelation I think since coming in, he’s played more games than we probably anticipated he would do early on, but he’s just taken to it like a duck to water and deserves to be starting the games because he’s playing the way he is.
"He’s becoming a really important player for us ahead of schedule. We knew this could happen longer term, but he’s done great so you can understand it, a 21-year-old, performing so well against the best players in the world. I understand it, but he stays with us.
"It’s something that’s really important to us that we keep this group together. Gary’s (Sweet, CEO) reiterated that to me as well, unless we want someone to, no-one leaves.”
At the end of 2023, Mengi boasted the highest percentage of defensive duels won in Europe's top five leagues for players under the age of 21.
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