Oxford united FC
League One transfer news as Oxford United await signing
The U’s are yet to make a signing prior to the start of pre-season with some of their rivals already getting business done early.
Following their relegation from the Championship, United confirmed their retained list last month with 10 players departing and a further five returning to their respective parent clubs, including fan favourite Will Lankshear.
Oxford’s expected rivals near the top end of the third tier next season have begun to make headlines with their early signings, including the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Stockport County, and Luton Town.
Stockport are the most recent side to bring in a new name.
County secured the signing of Ryan Glover on Monday from League Two side Barnet – the U’s are set to face Barnet at The Hive in their second pre-season friendly next month.
The addition came two days after the club appointed ex-Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty as their new boss, taking over from Dave Challinor after their 4-1 play-off final defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Luton have also been swift in their dealings, apparently securing the addition of Bolton captain George Johnston on a free transfer.
The Hatters apparently beat off competition from rivals Stockport, Sheffield Wednesday, and Bradford City for the 27-year-old defender.
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Reporter Pete O’Rourke states that Johnston is due for a medical in Bedfordshire.
Elsewhere, Plymouth signed defender Alex Hartridge on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Burton Albion.
It was reported earlier that the Pilgrims were interested in bringing back loan star Alex Mitchell from Charlton Athletic on a permanent deal, with the U’s also apparently interested.
Also involving Plymouth is the transfer of goalkeeper Conor Hazard to Oxford’s Thames Valley rivals Wycombe Wanderers.
The 28-year-old joined the Chairboys from Devon in Michael Duff’s side’s first signing of the summer.
Newly-promoted outfit MK Dons have also made strides in the market, as expected.
The financially-strong Dons have signed defender Charlie Goode from last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage.
Goode won promotion to the Premier League with Brentford in 2021.
The 30-year-old joins on a free transfer having made 45 appearances for the Boro last term and will try and help Paul Warne’s men make an instant impact on the third tier after finishing second in League Two last season.
Last week, Bradford signed Burton player of the season Jake Beesley and Wigan Athletic have re-signed Max Power from the Bantams.
The Oxford Mail has suggested one player in every position for Matt Bloomfield’s side to target this summer.
Goalkeeper – academy promotion
Oxford are set when it comes to goalkeepers, with Jamie Cumming, Matt Ingram, and player-coach Simon Eastwood all at the club.
It would make more sense for a goalkeeper to be promoted from the academy, perhaps Under-21 stopper Monty Marriott who recently spent time on loan at Dorchester Town.
Right back – Jordi Osei-Tutu
Osei-Tutu would provide a more attacking alternative on the right of defence.
Recently released by League One play-off winners Bolton Wanderers, the 27-year-old is energetic and pacey and available on a free.
Centre back – Jamie Knight-Lebel
Controversial, maybe, with the defender having spent last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, but a move for their Young Player of the Season could be a natural next step for the Bristol City man.
A move to Oxford to learn from experienced heads Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown would be valuable, with the 21-year-old providing youth and quality in depth.
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Left back – Leon McCann
Oxford have already been linked with two Falkirk players in Barney Stewart and Liam Henderson, but look set to miss out on the former.
After a consistently good season for the sixth-placed Bairns, McCann would be a great signing of a player hitting his peak at 26 years old.
Centre midfield – Archie Collins
After turning down a new contract offer from Peterborough United, the 26-year-old is expected to secure a better move after winning the Posh’s Player of the Season award.
Signing Collins would be a statement of intent from the Yellows with the midfielder one of the division’s standouts.
Left wing – Nathan Redmond
Oxford already have names on the left, but some experience may not go amiss.
The 32-year-old spent last season at both Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers and believes he still has more to give in his career.
Attacking midfield – Conor Chaplin
Linked earlier this week, Chaplin is a free agent having left Premier League club Ipswich Town.
At 29, he is experienced and a proven goal scorer in League One having scored 26 times in 2022/23.
Right wing – Kyreece Lisbie
Lisbie has already held talks with the club and would provide youth, depth and skill on the right wing.
There is competition for his signature, but the Colchester United man seems a no-brainer.
Striker – Jayden Wareham
19 goals for relegated Exeter City is very impressive.
The 23-year-old would be an astute, proven and young addition to the U’s attack.
Leicester City are one of a few clubs already said to be interested.
The U’s are looking to strengthen after their relegation from the Championship last season, with a new striker wanted by supporters after the return of fan favourite Will Lankshear to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur.
Chaplin spent last season on loan at boyhood club Portsmouth as the club survived in the second tier, the 29-year-old scoring twice and managing one assist in 40 appearances.
Meanwhile, his parent club Ipswich secured promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the league only behind runaway champions Coventry City.
The Englishman was key in the Tractor Boys’ League One promotion-winning season where they finished second, Chaplin scoring 26 goals that year to win the division’s Golden Boot award, joint with Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris.
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He was also awarded Ipswich’s Player of the Season award and included in the League One Team of the Season.
Chaplin then struck 13 goals in the Championship as the Suffolk side were promoted again, before suffering relegation from the Premier League the year after.
The attacking midfielder was released by Ipswich last month following their return to the top flight and SportsBoom are reporting that Oxford have ‘expressed an interest’ in signing the free agent.
With experience in the top tiers of English football and proof of goal scoring prowess in League One, Chaplin would be a sensible addition to the U’s ranks.
Tottenham Hotspur want £20 million for 21-year-old Will Lankshear and have turned down multiple bids for him, according to Hayters.
The ex-U’s striker, who was the club’s top scorer last term with 12 goals in all competitions, is highly rated by his parent side who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season finishing two points above the drop zone.
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However, they haven’t ruled out selling him if the right offer comes in with Portuguese side Sporting CP reportedly interested.
In addition Spurs is also considering another loan move for Lankshear to a Championship club, although the London team is looking to fund a summer spending spree that has already seen a £52 million bid for defender Jan Paul Van Hecke accepted by Brighton.
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Lankshear has made three Premier League appearances for Spurs as well as scoring one goal in three Europa League features.
In a breakout season in men’s football, the England youth international became a fan favourite in OX4 for his tenacity and goal scoring success in a struggling Championship team.
The 21-year-old’s attitude off the pitch also endeared the fans to his name, with the player crediting the club as the place where it all began ahead of a hopefully successful career.
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