Oxford united FC
Five players Oxford United should look to sign this summer
Head coach Matt Bloomfield has cited that Oxford do not require an overhaul of the squad, but reinforcements and possible replacements will likely be necessary this summer.
Sam Bell
Starting with a fairly ambitious one, out-of-contract Bristol City forward Sam Bell would be statement of intent.
A product of The Robins’ academy, the 23-year-old has never truly established himself as a consistent starter.
Bell scored three goals in the final four games of the season, leading caretaker boss Roy Hodgson to declare he has the potential to be a goal scorer.
With his future still up in the air, he may be more likely to move to a Championship club if he is to leave Bristol, but a season as a first-choice striker or forward at an aspiring promotion-challenger in Oxford could be tempting.
Fred Onyadinma
After turning down a contract offer recently at Wycombe Wanderers, Fred Onyadinma looks likely to leave The Chairboys this summer.
At 29, Onyadinma has experience in the top three tiers of English football and would be a strong addition either as a starter if Stan Mills is to leave or as competition.
The Nigerian scored 10 goals and bagged three assists in League One this season.
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Kelland Watts
Kelland Watts has been part of the best defence in the EFL this season and was included the League Two Team of the Season after his stellar performances for Cambridge United this term.
Cambridge achieved promotion to the third tier, conceding just only 33 goals and managing an exemplary 20 clean sheets across the campaign.
Who’s got the best defence in the EFL?
46 games
33 goals conceded
20 clean sheetsBuilt from the back. 💪 pic.twitter.com/onQuVSNn0Y
— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) May 4, 2026
The 26-year-old is a standout in the air and also a threat in the opposing box, scoring six goals from centre back this season.
The U’s are low on centre backs with Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown the only senior options and Watts would be keen to challenge at a higher level.
The Cambridge defender is valued at £300,000 by Transfermarkt.
Abdul Abdulmalik
A name fresh on the lips of lower league fans, Abdul Abdulmalik has shone for National League side Boreham Wood this season.
A lightning-fast, tricky winger, Abdulmalik has scored 17 and assisted 10 in 54 appearances for The Wood, including a goal and dazzling assist in the recent play-off final in which his side sadly lost on penalties.
The 23-year-old has been tipped for a move up a division or two and would be an exciting addition in OX4.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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