Oxford United transfer target Barney Stewart addresses links

The U’s are apparently interested in signing Stewart after a stellar spell up front for the Bairns after returning from a successful loan at Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship.

After scoring at a rate of a goal every 90 minutes for Dunfermline, Falkirk recalled the 22-year-old who has scored 10 goals in 21 games for the club since his January return, including a hattrick in a 4-1 win against Hibernian.

After a bid was rejected by Championship survivors West Bromwich Albion, interest has sprouted in Stewart from newly-promoted Lincoln City and recently-relegated United, according to Football Insider.

The youngster joined Falkirk in 2024 after playing in the lower tiers of Scottish football with Heriot-Watt University.

Falkirk’s Barney Stewart (second right) attempts a shot on goal (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

He was a trainee with English Championship club Queens Park Rangers with the Scotland Under-21 international having been born and raised in London, whilst also playing rugby union, Gaelic football, and tennis as a teenager.

Oxford are also reportedly interested in Stewart’s Falkirk teammate Liam Henderson alongside League One rivals Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking at the Scottish Football Writer’s Awards, Stewart responded to rumours linking him away from the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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“Listen it is not for me to say, I have only been in the football game a season and a half,” the six foot two striker said.

“Everything is new to me, every bit of a rumour, anything is new.

“It is a lot to take in but it is the summer holidays now and I am going to enjoy that and let whatever happens happen in the background.

Falkirk’s Barney Stewart with the award for Young Scottish Player of the Year at the Scottish Football Writers Awards (Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire)

“It is insane. If it was to happen it would be a massive step and a quick rise if it does happen and one I would have to take in my stride, but speculation is speculation.”

Stewart signed a contract extension with the Bairns back in January, elongating his stay until 2028 with the option of a further year, meaning a fee would be required to pry the centre forward away from the SPL.

After his standout displays this year, Stewart had emerged as an outside shout to be included in the Scotland national team squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup squad, but missed out with the selection announced on Tuesday.

Oxford have three striker choices for next season.

Mark Harris, Nik Prelec, and 21-year-old Gatlin O’Donkor are all contracted to the club with it currently unclear who will be the first-choice centre forward for Matt Bloomfield next season.

The former duo both failed to make big impacts in the Championship and fans have called for a new starting striker after loan star Will Lankshear returned to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the recent season.