Transfer news dominates this week’s Oxford United round-up, with the U’s linked to several players. Despite that, Karl Robinson is yet to make an addition to his squad but the U’s have lost three players. On the pitch, Oxford hit seven past Gillingham with a comfortable win on Saturday.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Three Players Leave the Club But the U’s Hit Seven Past Gillingham in League One
Thorniley Recalled
The week started badly from an Oxford point of view after Blackpool decided to recall defender Jordan Thorniley from his loan spell.
The 25-year-old, who made 25 appearances for the U’s, was offered to Oxford as a player plus cash deal for Cameron Brannagan in recent weeks but the club rejected the offer. Now, Thorniley, who is out of contract in the summer, has returned to Bloomfield Road for the remainder of the season.
U’s Interested in Dundee United Striker
Oxford’s search for an additional forward continued when reports on Tuesday suggested they had been linked with a move for Dundee United’s Louis Appere.
The 22-year-old made his debut for the Terrors in 2017 and has scored eight goals in 79 appearances for the Scottish club.
Premier League Midfielder Linked With Oxford United Move
Another youngster was linked with a move to Oxford later that day when Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider tweeted that the U’s were interested in Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff.
The 21-year-old had just been recalled from a disappointing loan spell at Aberdeen where he managed just five appearances in the Scottish Premiership.
The youngster has made 20 Newcastle appearances and scored three goals since his debut in 2019, including the winner on his Premier League bow against Manchester United.
Young U’s Through in Oxfordshire Senior Cup
Oxford United have progressed to the semi-final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a late winner against Kidlington.
The U’s lead twice in the game through Leon Chambers-Parillon and Gatlin O’Donkor but it took a late effort from Adam Smith to send them through to the last four.
Midfielder Loan Extended
Oxford youngster Tyler Goodrham has seen his loan spell at Slough Town extended by a further month.
The winger has turned out five times for the National League South side and also impressed during a spell at Hayes & Yeading United earlier in the campaign.
Port Vale Loan Oxford United Winger
On Thursday, Oxford winger Joel Cooper became the second player in four days to depart the club as he joined Port Vale on loan.
The 25-year-old has managed just 11 appearances since joining from Linfield in 2020, so both the club and the player will be hopeful of some regular football with the League Two outfit.
Speaking to the club’s official website, U’s manager Karl Robinson said: “Joel needs to be playing games. Port Vale are a good club where we know he will be looked after and hopefully he gets to help them push on from their league position in the second half of the season.”
Agyei Joins The Alex
On Friday, Oxford saw a third player depart the club after striker Dan Agyei joined League One rivals Crewe Alexandra for an undisclosed fee.
The forward joined the U’s from Burnley in 2019 and scored 11 goals in 93 appearances, including a winner in a match against rivals Swindon Town.
However, he had struggled to make a consistent impact on the team and failed to enjoy a regular run in the line-up.
Former Winger Close to Return
A player that Oxford United fans will be familiar with, Marcus Browne was the next player to be linked with a move to the club, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old, who has spent two separate spells on loan at Grenoble Road, is out of favour at Middlesbrough and a move fell through at League One rivals Charlton Athletic, leaving a return to Oxford a real possibility.
The winger netted 14 times from 60 appearances over his two previous spells but this return could be on a permanent basis.
Oxford United Linked With Crystal Palace Winger
Browne wasn’t the only winger the U’s were linked with as the Football Insider also reported the club were one of five showing interest in Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The 19-year-old has impressed for the U23 side this season with 11 goals in 16 Premier League 2 appearances, while he has also netted twice from four England U20 outings.
However, according to the report, the U’s will do battle with Cardiff City, Reading, Accrington Stanley and MK Dons for the Palace youngster.
Seven Heaven as Gillingham Pay the Penalty
Oxford scored seven away goals for the first time in the Football League as they eased past bottom club, Gillingham.
The U’s raced into a three-goal lead inside 20 minutes. First, Billy Bodin kept his composure in the box before slotting home before Brannagan converted from the penalty spot. Then, top-scorer Matty Taylor was on hand to head home from a Bodin free-kick.
The goals, and the penalties, didn’t stop there. Brannagan completed his first-ever hat-trick with another two goals coming from 12 yards before the hosts pulled one back. However, Oxford were awarded a fourth spot-kick, which Brannagan struck home again, before Gillingham netted a second. But Oxford scored again late on through Anthony Forde to complete the rout.
The result leaves Robinson’s side in sixth, three points behind Wycombe Wanderers and MK Dons but with a game in hand.
U’s Linked With Northern Irish Midfielder
Oxford United have emerged as favourites to sign Dungannon Swifts midfielder Oisin Smyth, according to BBC Sport NI reporter Eric White.
The 21-year-old has scored once and added five assists from 21 NIFL Premiership games this season and is seen as one for the future.
Luton Town Striker Poised for Oxford Return
Another player linked with a return to Grenoble Road is former striker, Danny Hylton. The 32-year-old is out of contract at Kenilworth Road in the summer and the U’s could see him as a useful addition.
Hylton enjoyed two seasons at Oxford after joining the club in 2014 and was part of the U’s squad that won promotion from League Two in 2016.
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