Matt Bloomfield’s U’s will play in League One after suffering relegation with two games to go, finally ending the season with a 2-0 defeat at Millwall last weekend.

Business has already begun amongst the United hierarchy with head of recruitment Scott Mitchell reportedly on his way to Premier League side Newcastle United.

Mitchell has been at Oxford since late 2024 and is set to move to the Magpies to join their recruitment team.

In terms of the playing squad, rumours started to emerge before the culmination of the season.

Reports emerged over a week ago that The Yellows are in the running to sign Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng from French club Lorient.

The 26-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer and has scored an impressive 15 goals in 24 matches in all competitions for the French side.

According to reporter Pete O’Rourke , Oxford are alongside Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Portsmouth, and German club St Pauli in the race to secure Dieng’s signature.

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The U’s relegation to League One may dent their hopes, however, as they face competition from higher-placed clubs.

A rumour slightly closer to home has linked Aston Villa youngster Tommi O’Reilly with a move to OX4.

(Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

The 22-year-old has stood out for League Two side Crewe Alexandra on loan this season, scoring seven goal and managing 11 assists as an attacking midfielder.

Journalist Alan Nixon says that O’Reilly is set for talks with Pompey and Oxford in the coming weeks.

Villa have reportedly asked for around £1 million for the Englishman.

Looking abroad once more, United are reportedly amongst a host of club interested in Curacao international Tyrese Noslin.

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞: Barnsley and Oxford United are among a host of clubs interested in signing Tyrese Noslin (23) from Eredivisie side Telstar 🇨🇼

The defender has made more than 30 appearances so far this season in the Dutch top flight 📈#BarnsleyFC | #OUFC pic.twitter.com/iZwEXcxR3Z

— eflpublished (@eflpublished) May 1, 2026

Noslin plays in The Netherlands for Eredivisie side Telstar and most commonly plays as a right wing back for his club.

The 23-year-old can also play in the right wing and right back positions.

(Image: Jason Dawson)

League One side Barnsley are also competing for his signature, according to eflpublished .

Noslin has scored once and assisted twice in 32 league appearances this season.

U’s winger Przemyslaw Placheta, who is out of contract this summer, is reportedly keen on a move to the United States with Major League Soccer outfit Austin FC.

Polish news outlets have reported that talks are in their final stages as the 28-year-old looks set to move abroad soon.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee has returned to his parent club from Oxford, alongside teammate Will Lankshear, but his option to buy remains intact despite it being unlikely that The U’s will pull the trigger following their Championship relegation.

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Emakhu’s national team announced their squad for their May friendly against Grenada which included seven new faces.

One of those is The U’s 22-year-old forward who receives his first call-up to his country’s senior side.

Emakhu has appeared previously for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 and Under-19 teams.

For the U21s, he has played 12 times, scoring four goals and assisting twice.

Oxford United’s Aidomo Emakhu and Wrexham’s Issa Kabore battle for the ball (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

The Boys in Green missed out on qualification last month for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, losing out on penalties to Czechia in the qualifying play-off semi-final.

Former Millwall man Emakhu joined The Yellows in the January transfer window on deadline day in search of more game time after being utilised as an impact substitute for the majority of his time at The Den.

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The Irishman struggled to find form in his first couple of months in yellow whilst Oxford found rhythm in their performances.

Emakhu eventually found his way into the starting XI after a couple of promising substitute apeparances late in the season, starting the final two Championship games against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.

Unfortunately, Oxford were relegated prior to kick-off against Wednesday, sentencing Emakhu and co. to League One football for the 2026/27 season.