Oxford United transfer target likely to leave Austria Wien

The U’s are looking to strengthen after suffering relegation from the Championship last season, finishing 22nd in the table.

It was recently suggested by Austria’s largest newspaper, The Krone , that Wien rejected a bid of just over €2 million from the Yellows for Barry’s services.

Geniestreiche treffen auf Bescheidenheit, Ruhe trifft auf Fröhlichkeit. Und heute ganz besonders, denn Abubakr Barry feiert seinen 25. Geburtstag – alles Gute, Abu! #faklive pic.twitter.com/suIAcIDz0v

— FK Austria Wien (@FKAustriaWien) July 2, 2025

Championship club Stoke have since reportedly submitted a bid worth €3 million, whilst Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg also bidding between €3 and €4 million for the 25-year-old.

Salzburg are reportedly remaining persistent in their efforts to sign Barry and Sky Sport Austria have said the prospect of the midfielder remaining at his current club is ‘increasingly unlikely’.

Im Tauziehen um die Zukunft von Abu #Barry bleibt @RedBullSalzburg hartnäckig. Eine Zukunft @FKAustriaWien wird immer unrealistischer. #inundaut #faklive @Transferic_Sky

— Johannes Brandl (@Sky_Johannes) June 2, 2026

With the Gambian’s price having been driven up since the U’s apparent rejected bid, it is tough to see how Oxford can compete with the finances and alure of Championship football with Stoke and even Europa League action with Salzburg.

Barry played 28 times in the Austrian Bundesliga last term, scoring four goals and bagging four assists.

After joining the Violets in 2024, the Gambia international reportedly has one year left on his contract in Vienna.