Oxford United key man ‘wanted’ by Championship club

The summer transfer window is just around the corner and, with the regular Championship season over, moves are already starting to formulate.

The U’s have been relegated to League One after two seasons in the second tier and will have business to do this summer if they are to bounce back next term.

Midfielder De Keersmaecker is one player who is expected to garner interest from elsewhere after an impressive first half of the season after arriving in OX4 last summer.

Oxford United midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker (Image: Jason Dawson)

The Belgian arrived from Dutch outfit Heracles Almelo and adjusted well to English football, scoring once and assisting five times in 26 Championship appearances.

After suffering a shoulder injury in January, De Keersmaecker has been out of action ever since after choosing to have an operation which meant his season would be ended prematurely.

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According to reporter Alan Nixon, the 26-year-old has already generated interest from the Championship having made an impression on John Eustace’s Derby.

The Rams are keen to recruit the midfielder, who can play as a number six, eight, or ten, on a ‘bargain deal’.

Derby loanee David Ozoh has returned to parent club Crystal Palace following The Rams’ failure to make the play-off places on the last day of the season, and the club are looking to find a ‘similar replacement’.