"Score 30 and get a £10m move" - Exclusive: Joe Jacobson drops big Richard Kone claim as Luton Town eye Wycombe star | OneFootball

Joe Jacobson has told FLW his verdict on Richard Kone's future at Wycombe Wanderers amid Luton Town speculation

Joe Jacobson expects Richard Kone to depart Wycombe Wanderers this season if the club aren’t promoted to the Championship.

It was reported by Sky Sports in January that Luton Town made an offer worth £7 million to sign the forward in a bid to reunite him with Matt Bloomfield.

However, the 21-year-old ultimately stayed with the League One side, where he has contributed 17 goals and one assist from 32 appearances in a breakout campaign for Wanderers.

The youngster is likely to attract plenty of transfer interest in the summer, with Wycombe currently competing for automatic promotion back to the second division.

Jacobson praises Kone’s attitude

Jacobson has praised Kone’s attitude, noting how hard he works, how humble he is and that he always plays football in a positive mood.

He is unsurprised by his former teammate’s strong campaign, claiming it was just a matter of time before he broke into the first team in a big way.

“Richard Kone has got everything, he’s got the talent, he’s humble, he’s hard working, always got a smile on his face, which is so important I think for any young player coming into the game,” Jacobson exclusively told Football League World.

“I think you’ve got to enjoy your football, and want to learn and want to be happy out on the pitch.

“When he first came in he was just a goal machine in training, it was only a matter of time before he got his opportunity.

“You can tell whenever he scores a goal, he’s so happy, the smile on his face just gleams and you can see how much from his story, from his background how much it means to him to be in the position he’s in right now.”

Joe Jacobson reveals 30 goal challenge to Richard Kone

Jacobson expects Kone to leave if Wycombe aren’t promoted, revealing that he challenged the forward to get 30 goals after he remained with the club in the January window.

“I said to him at the start of the season, I’ve got messages where I said go and score 20 goals and get a £5 million move,” he continued.

“In January, I changed that to now go score 30 and get a £10m move because I think he’s done so well.

“Yes, he was linked to a lot of clubs in January and I don’t think he was necessarily pressing for a move, I think he was happy where he is.

“But I think, for where he wants to get to in his football career, I know he’s ambitious and wants to play at the top, which I think he can do.

“I really, really believe he can play in the Premier League one day, then you have to start moving up the pyramid, whether that’s with Wycombe or someone else.

“So I think he did the right thing in staying until the end of the season.

“Hopefully he gets promoted with Wycombe and can be in the Championship with them, and if not then I can’t see Wycombe being able to keep hold of him.

“I think he’s that good of a player.”

Mike Dodds' side are currently second in the League One table, level on points with third place Wrexham but with a game in hand.

Kone is ready for the Championship

Kone has done superbly this season for Wycombe, and has been key to their promotion push.

The step up he has taken this year has shown that he can make that step up again to the Championship, and there’s little doubt he’ll be at that level soon.

Whether it’s with Wanderers or not does depend on their promotion, as it’s difficult to see him staying if they’re still in League One.

If he can reach the 30 goal mark for the season, then he’d absolutely be worth the £10 million figure touted by Jacobson.