CHAPTER 84

Blackburn Really Made an Offer for Luton's Star!

Just after Luton Town defeated Accrington, manager Ethan received a fax from the club staff.

"One million pounds?" Ethan dropped the fax onto his desk and scoffed. "They really dare to make such a low bid."

"Send them a reply," he said. "Charlie Austin is only 19 years old. He's already scored 26 goals this season in League Two. He's the second-highest scorer in the league and is eight goals ahead of third place. He is Luton's future. And he's not for sale!"

The staff quickly relayed Ethan's message to Blackburn.

Though he said a lot—about league rankings, potential, and value—Ethan's message was simple: the offer was nowhere near enough.

He knew that while the era of blockbuster transfer fees was still a few years away, prices were already rising. Manchester United had just spent £10 million on Chris Smalling, a defender. "If that's the going rate," Ethan thought, "then for a young striker with 26 goals, even in League Two, we should be expecting far more."

Determined to showcase Austin's talent further, Ethan made a decision.

"Shoot whenever you get the chance, Charlie!" he ordered.

February 25th — Away at Dagenham & Redbridge

Before kick-off, Ethan put an arm around Charlie Austin.

"You don't need to track back today. Stay forward, focus on the attack. Show them everything you've got!"

Charlie, buoyed by confidence from his recent form, nodded enthusiastically. "Got it, boss!"

Dagenham & Redbridge, sitting mid-table with 47 points and little threat of relegation or hope of promotion, still showed strong intent at home. They lined up defensively, parking the bus with nine players behind the ball and leaving just one forward up front to chase loose balls.

The home crowd understood the approach—they were up against Luton, the strongest team in League Two this season.

Dagenham's resistance lasted until the 43rd minute.

Jamie Vardy, drifting wide to the left, sent in a brilliant cross. Charlie Austin, timing his jump perfectly, met the ball with a powerful header into the back of the net.

Austin's aerial ability had already become a major weapon. Combined with his natural instincts and, in Ethan's mind, something akin to a "card bonus," he looked like a top-level header specialist. Were it not for his average height, he'd be even more dangerous in the air.

Dagenham had spent over forty minutes defending solidly. Just when they thought they'd reach halftime at 0–0, Charlie Austin broke the deadlock.

And Luton weren't finished yet.

In the first minute of stoppage time, chaos erupted in the box again. This time, Austin challenged the keeper, who dropped the ball under pressure. It landed at the feet of Jamie Vardy, who didn't hesitate. He calmly slotted it into the empty net.

Two goals in three minutes—Luton went into halftime with a commanding 2–0 lead.

Second Half

Chasing the game, Dagenham came out aggressive in the second half. They made two attacking substitutions, determined to get back into the match.

But their urgency played straight into Luton's hands.

Now the game opened up—and that suited Ethan's men perfectly. Luton could sit deeper, absorb pressure, and strike on the counter.

In the 67th minute, the third goal arrived.

Danny Drinkwater picked up the ball deep and spotted a gap. His long ball bypassed the Dagenham defense entirely. Jamie Vardy, using his trademark acceleration, burst through and found himself one-on-one with the keeper.

He made no mistake.

Final Score: Dagenham & Redbridge 0–3 Luton Town

Ethan's decision to unleash his strikers paid off. Charlie Austin scored again, and Vardy shone with a goal and an assist. The message to clubs like Blackburn was clear: Luton's stars are shining—and they won't come cheap.

In the past, Charlie Austin struggled to keep up with Jamie Vardy's blistering pace in attack—Vardy was simply quicker, more explosive. But now, with an evident boost in form and confidence, Austin surged forward with remarkable speed. On this day, Vardy no longer seemed the faster of the two.

At one point, Vardy found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but selflessly squared the ball back—Charlie Austin was in the right place at the right time and slotted it home with ease.

Another goal! Charlie Austin had bagged a brace—and he wasn't done yet.

After going 3-0 down, Dagenham & Redbridge looked completely deflated. Their manager urged them to keep pressing forward, but the players' fighting spirit had already been drained.

Then came the 82nd minute—Vardy was brought down in the box, and the referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot.

Historically, Luton's penalties had been taken by either captain Kevin Keane or Vardy. But this time, the responsibility was handed to the man of the moment—Charlie Austin.

Austin stepped up calmly, placed the ball on the spot, and sent the keeper the wrong way.

Goal! Hat-trick for Charlie Austin!

Ethan applauded from the touchline, a wide grin on his face. Meanwhile, John and the rest of the coaching staff looked on in disbelief—was this really the same Charlie Austin they knew? He was playing out of his skin!

The English media, never ones to miss a beat, brought up reports of Blackburn's interest in Austin during the post-match press conference.

But Ethan didn't dodge the question this time.

"Charlie is a crucial part of our project. He's only 19 and has a massive future ahead of him. Luton has no intention of selling him. He's not for sale," Ethan said firmly.

But of course, no journalist is that easily fooled. They instantly picked up on the subtext: Ethan might be trying to drive up the price.

Charlie Austin was officially on the radar of bigger clubs.

When the team returned to Luton from their away fixture, Ethan received another fax from Blackburn.

£1.25 million.

Ethan scoffed. "No need to reply. Tell them this restaurant's closed."

A club like Blackburn? Far too small-time. No vision. No ambition.

And Ethan's press conference comments quickly rippled through the English football scene. The very next day, offers began flooding in—from both Championship and Premier League clubs.

"The top bid so far is from Chelsea. They've offered £3 million for Charlie Austin," said a member of the club's transfer staff during a meeting in Ethan's office.

Ethan flipped through the papers.

Everton: £2 million.

Arsenal: £2.2 million.

The summer transfer window hadn't even opened yet, but clearly, clubs had already marked Luton as the place to shop. Ethan had said a few words—and the sharks were already circling.

And it wasn't just Austin. Vardy, Kanté, Adam—other players were drawing interest as well.

The Premier League clubs were treating Luton like a supermarket.

"Ignore the rest of the offers. Respond only to the ones about Charlie—and tell them: not for sale," Ethan instructed.

They could disregard the other bids for now. But when it came to Charlie Austin? That message would be crystal clear.

Still, the top clubs weren't going to back down. The scent of a rising star had them scrambling like hungry cats who smelled fresh fish.