Oxford United ‘eye move’ for Doncaster Rovers star Owen Bailey

Matt Bloomfield’s Yellows are still to make their first signing of the summer transfer window after it opened on Monday.

The U’s have reportedly met with Colchester United forward Kyreece Lisbie, with Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday both also interested, and the club has now been linked with in-demand Doncaster captain Bailey.

The midfielder has been at Rovers since 2023 and was named in the League One Team of the Season last term.

Doncaster Rovers Billy Sharp (left) and Doncaster Rovers Owen Bailey (right) (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

Bailey managed an impressive 13 goals and five assists in 46 third-tier games from midfield as Donny finished 14th in the league.

The 27-year-old rose through the ranks of Premier League side Newcastle United’s academy before suffering injury troubles and being released by the Magpies.

He then joined Gateshead in 2021 before making the move to South Yorkshire two years later.

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Doncaster Rovers Owen Bailey (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

Oxford are now eyeing a move for the Englishman, according to Football Insider, but face hefty competition.

Fellow League One competitors Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Bradford City and MK Dons are all also reportedly in the hunt.

As well as being named in the Team of the Season, Bailey was also nominated for the League One Player of the Season award but lost out to Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard.