The centre back has been at United since January 2025 and helped the club to safety in the second tier last season under Gary Rowett.

Oxford were unfortunately relegated this season, with the Pole playing 41 times and scoring once for Matt Bloomfield’s side.

According to sources in Poland, Helik has a buyout clause of €750,000 (£650,000) in his contract with Championship and Polish league clubs monitoring his situation this summer.

Michal Helik celebrates scoring for Oxford United (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Helik joined the U’s from League One side Huddersfield Town and was in Yorkshire prior to that as well with Barnsley.

The 30-year-old has been in England for six years in total since joining the Tykes from Polish outfit Cracovia in 2020.

Several clubs in the Polish Ekstraklasa are reportedly interested in the seven-time Poland international.

According Goal.pl, Championship rivals Derby County were keen on Helik in January of this year but the Yellows wanted to keep the towering defender.

In his 18 months in OX4, the former Terriers man has played 65 times, scoring 6 goals and assisting four.

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Helik has played most of his career in the Championship with his three English clubs with 221 appearances in the competition.

In League One, the Pole would be a strong option but, at 30 years of age, may want one last stint in the second tier.

The drop into the third tier with Oxford is Helik’s third relegation in English football having been demoted from the Championship with both Barnsley and Huddersfield prior to this season with the Yellows.

Michal Helik heads the ball for Oxford United against Stoke City (Image: Mike Allen)

He was a key part of United’s survival in 2024/25, however, scoring five goals in 20 appearances since his January addition as his side stayed up under Rowett.

Helik won the Polish Cup in 2020 with former club Cracovia.

Upon joining Oxford in early 2025, the U’s number six said: “I am joining this club because I can see the ambition. This is the right place for me because there is a drive to improve and that matches my ambition.

“I am experienced but also very hungry to learn and improve every day. I am ready to fight for this badge and I want to achieve our goals together. I am still improving, the best is yet to come from me.”

Oxford recently announced their retained list, confirming that 10 players would depart the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.

Head coach Bloomfield confirmed that there would not be an overhaul of the squad this summer as the club prepares for a return to League One.

Rotherham have been relegated from League One, where the U’s will compete next season, following a poor campaign in which they finished 23rd in the table.

The Millers have reportedly offered McClaren the role of technical director as they look to bounce back in League Two next season.

Oxford United face Rotherham United in 2022 (Image: Simon Hall)

The ex-Oxford youth and reserve team coach was most recently manager of the Jamaican national team but resigned 16 months into the role after failing to win automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His most recent job in English football was as an assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

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The 65-year-old is still apparently keen to return to the game but there is not agreement in place yet with Rotherham.

McClaren was recently a guest of honour at Oxford’s End of Season awards.

Enjoying a 13-year career, the former Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest boss ended his playing days with the Yellows, spending three years in Oxford before injuries forced him to retire in 1992.

A move to Rotherham would see McClaren return home to Yorkshire in a role with a wide-ranging scope for him to enjoy in the latter stages of his career.

Wycombe released their retained list this week and confirmed that winger Onyedinma has been offered a new deal by the club.

The 29-year-old is currently in his fourth stint with the Chairboys over the course of his career.

It was previously reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke that Onyedinma had turned down an offer from the Buckinghamshire-based club.

This led to interest in the Nigerian’s signature, with it being reported by the Bucks Free Press, our sister paper, that Oxford and rivals Reading are expected to make moves for Onyedinma if he is to leave the club.

There are links between the U’s and the former Millwall and Luton Town wide man, with Yellows boss Matt Bloomfield having played with Onyedinma during his playing days at Wycombe as well as coached him as Chairboys manager.

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Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Oxford could do with strengthening their wide areas this summer, particularly on the right.

At present, Player of the Year Stan Mills is their only right-sided option and is expected to draw interest from elsewhere after his impressive performances this season.

The close proximity and history between Bloomfield and Onyedinma means a move for the Chairboys star makes sense.

We recently put the Nigerian forward as a recommended signing for the Yellows ahead of their return to League One.