Oxford United ready to ‘get deals done’ under Aaron Ramsey

The U’s replaced Matt Bloomfield with former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey, the 35-year-old quickly securing his first permanent head coach role after retiring in April.

The Oxford squad is now set to report back for pre-season next week although the new boss has met and is familiar with a few of the players.

The transfer window has been open for over a week now and Yellows supporters are still waiting for the first incoming of the summer.

There was speculation that the managerial situation in OX4 has meant player recruitment had been postponed, however Waldron confirmed the contrary.

“No,” he replied at Ramsey’s inaugural press conference.

“There’s been a plan in place for a long time. Two plans in place to be honest going back to last season. Naturally, over the last couple of days, of course it has.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Newsquest)

“Players want to wait to see who you’re going to bring in. Thankfully this has been wrapped up pretty quickly. Myself and Aaron and the club are really aligned on what we think the squad needs and now it’s a case of executing that plan.

“We actually had a Zoom call this morning with our new chairman. Of course, [we are] finalising bits with Aaron’s staff and being ready for pre-season, but of course recruitment is priority number one.

Outgoings are also something the club is considering.

READ MORE: Oxford United CEO on shock timing of Bloomfield sacking

READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal Aaron Ramsey’s first words as Oxford United manager

“We’ve had a few bids. I think we’re in a really fortunate place with our shareholders and our owners. Unless you’re Real Madrid, you have to be a selling club.

“If players leave, it will be on our terms. It’s not going to be a flash sale or anything like that.

“We’ve discussed with Dusan and Tim and the owners that one of what we think can be our strength this year is a continuity within the group.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey hugs fellow countryman Mark Harris (right) (Image: Oxford United)

“We feel like we’ve got the core of a really good group many of which have been promoted out of League One and many of which have played close to 100 games in the Championship now or more.

“Retention will be important and like every team we want to keep our best players.

“We’re all acutely aware we’ve got a full squad as it stands. Of course, some players will go, we are going to improve in certain areas. But what we can’t do is say: ‘there you go, Aaron, there’s 30 players, day one of pre-season, knock yourself out’.

“It doesn’t work. Timing is everything in football. We have to make sure that those two things align.”