The one condition that must be met for Leicester City target James Justin to be sold

Luton Town will only sell highly sought-after defender James Justin if it is beneficial to the club, says former interim boss Mick Harford.

Justin has been heavily linked with a move to Leicester City in recent weeks, along with Aston Villa and Stoke City.

It has been rumoured that City would have to pay £12m for the 21-year-old full-back, whose contract at Kenilworth Road is due to expire in 2020 but Luton have an option of a one-year extension.

Harford is currently the head of recruitment at Luton after guiding the club to promotion to the Championship as interim boss in the second half of last season, and is now working under new manager Graeme Jones.

The former striker believes that Luton will only sell Leicester target Justin if it benefits the club in the long term.

“The biggest priority is the football club, not an individual at the football club, not a football player, it is the benefit of the football club,” Harford told Sky Sports.

“If it benefits us to sell James Justin, then James will be sold, but it's a case of someone putting in the right bid.

“James is a real level headed kid and if he does go, I believe he will choose the right football club that will be better for him and beneficial for him to enhance his career.”

City are looking for a young, up-and-coming full-back who can push first choice right-back Ricardo Pereira, but don’t want to pay a huge fee for a player who initially may not feature regularly.

The Foxes hope they can convince the Hatters to lower their asking price, but are still confident they can land their preferred target.

Justin featured in last season’s League One team of the season, and Luton have already rejected an offer of £7.5m from Villa during this transfer window.