Preston North End and Luton Town are two of the clubs locked in a battle to sign out of contract defender Ryan Tafazolli, who has recently left Peterborough United, according to Pete O'Rourke.

The Hatters have just won League One and are looking forward to their first season back in the second tier in 15 years, but they do so with a new manager at the helm.

Nathan Jones left the club in January, but Mick Harford oversaw their superb 2019 form, catapulting them to the top of the table. A late wobble saw them just hold on to the title in time for former West Brom coach Graeme Jones to take over.

Jones inherits a fine squad of players, largely intact and ready for Championship football. Centre back pairing Matty Pearson and Sonny Bradley were solid enough, but interest in Tafazolli will also excite fans.

He was a standout performer for Peterborough and has departed looking for a fresh challenge, not because he's unwanted.

Is it a wise move by the Hatters to make a swoop for the towering centre back? Our FLW panel discuss.

Toby Wilding

"I'm not convinced.

"Stepping back into the Championship, you feel that Luton will need some experience at that level to come into the side, something that Tafazolli does not currently have.

"There may well be better options out there for the League One champions."

George Harbey

"Get it done.

"Tafazolli is a commanding, powerful, left-sided centre-half who would add some real competition for places at Kenilworth Road.

"He has proven himself at both League 1 and League 2, and now is the perfect time to make the step-up."

Gary Hutchinson

"This would be a waste of the budget.

"They have Pearson and Bradley, both strong performers last season.

"Tafazolli might be a decent player, but I think he'd be the unlucky third man.

"That is unless Graeme Jones is going three at the back, which I can't see happening."