Oxford United exit transfer battle for Colchester star

Oxford sacked their head coach Matt Bloomfield on Saturday almost two months after the end of their Championship campaign, with the club currently searching for a new name to guide them into League One.

The U’s had expressed interest in Lisbie having met with the 22-year-old previously but have since reduced their interest.

The Oxford Mail understands that the club has no made no recent contact whilst three League One rivals have had bids accepted.

According to the Reading Chronicle , Reading, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday have all had bids accepted, with Sky Sports now reporting that Lisbie is undergoing a medical with the Royals.

Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie (centre) celebrates (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

The location of the Berkshire club is understood to have been a factor in choosing Reading as his next destination.

Interest from Oxford is now considered over, especially after the departures of Bloomfield and head of recruitment Scott Mitchell to Leyton Orient earlier this month, the Oxford Mail understands.

The Colchester man had his breakout season last term after moving to Essex from Brentford in 2025, scoring 11 goals and managing six assists in 45 League Two appearances.

Understand there hasn’t been any recent contact from Oxford United regarding Kyreece Lisbie

Led to believe U’s interest is over, especially since Matt Bloomfield and Scott Mitchell’s departures#oufc https://t.co/O2GRSBJJE0

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) June 21, 2026

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He has been the subject of plenty of interest in League One this summer, with Peterborough United also previously interest but deciding against meeting Lisbie’s wage demands.

United are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window, which officially opened last week.

Colchester United manager Danny Cowley (left) celebrates with Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

The club has undergone significant changes higher up the food chain after Mitchell’s departure and the arrival of new chairman Dusan Bogdanovic who replaced Grant Ferguson, the former chair moving to a role on the board.

Head coach Bloomfield was dismissed at the weekend meaning the club’s next priority is finding a new boss, with the players reporting back for pre-season on Wednesday, June 24.

The Oxford Mail reported earlier that former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is of interest to Oxford, with the Welshman shooting to the top of the bookmakers’ odds to become the next U’s head coach.

The club has previously met with Ramsey and were impressed with the former Gunners and Juventus man.

The 35-year-old is looking for his first role in professional football management having previously taken over at boyhood club Cardiff City for the span of three games after Omer Riza lost his job in 2025.

Ramsey holds a UEFA A License and is currently studying for his UEFA Pro Licence and has spent time shadowing Wales manager Craig Bellamy.