It’s been a busy week for Oxford United who have returned to England to continue their pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
Elsewhere, the U’s have been linked with a couple of players, have made a third signing of the summer and and have some bad news regarding off the pitch matters.
Read More: Fulham Midfielder Luke Harris Joins Oxford United on Season-Long Loan
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Pre-Season on Home Soil, Transfer News and Stadium Delay
U’s Linked With Fulham Midfielder
On Monday, Oxford were linked with a move for Fulham midfielder, Luke Harris, according to Jack Kelly.
The 20-year-old, who has represented Wales at various youth levels, has spent time on loan at Exeter and Birmingham.
Kelly has turned out four times for Fulham in the Premier League, and had previously been linked with a move to West London rivals Chelsea who were prepared to offer £30 million for the midfielder back in 2022.
Kelly states that the U’s could land the promising youngster on loan ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Oxford Edge Past the Stags
Oxford kicked off their pre-season campaign back in England with a 1-0 win over Mansfield on Tuesday night.
Tom Bradshaw netted the game’s only goal inside the opening two minutes, with Brian De Keersmaecker laying on the assist.
There was a debut from the start for right-back Brodie Spencer, while Greg Leigh also got his first minutes of the summer on the left.
Ciaron Brown and Siriki Dembele were still absent from the squad while Przemyslaw Placheta, who was named on the bench, didn’t feature with a muscle injury.
Despite a handful of youthful changes in the second half, the U’s held on against a strong Mansfield side to claim the victory.
Another Stadium Delay
On Wednesday, Oxford suffered another stadium setback with a delay to their planning application.
The statement read: “Oxford United are disappointed to learn from Cherwell District Council of yet further delays to the hearing of our new stadium planning application.
“This has been caused by factors completely outside of the Club’s control.
Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, said: “It’s frustrating that this delay has been caused by a last-minute submission from a statutory consultee, particularly given they had previously raised no objections to the application.
“However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised. This is an incredibly detailed, robust application.
“We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date.”
U’s Linked With Slovenian Striker
Oxford were linked with a move for Slovenian striker, Nik Prelec, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The 24-year-old joined Cagliari in 2023, but has spent time on loan at former club WSG Tirol and Austria Wien in the past two seasons.
He’s under contract with the Serie A side until 2027 after signing a new deal last summer.
Oxford Sign Fulham Midfielder
On Friday, Oxford confirmed the signing of Fulham midfielder, Luke Harris.
The 20-year-old, who is a Wales U21 international, joined the U’s on a season-long loan.
The Welshman spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Exeter, where he scored four goals and added two assists in 21 League One appearances.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at title-winning Birmingham, scoring three times in 29 league games.
Speaking to OUTV after signing, he said: “I’m delighted to be here. I just can’t wait to get started. It’s good to be in to meet the boys, now I’m just ready to get going.
“I’m a player who wants to try and get into the box as much as possible and get on the end of things to score.
“I’ve played a number of times in the Wales set up and I feel that will benefit me here at Oxford United. I hope all my football to date will put me in good stead for this season.
“I’ve had good experience going out and playing men’s first team football. It was a good experience for me last season to win the league, even though I feel I didn’t play as much as I wanted to.
“I can’t wait for this challenge and I’m looking forward to showing the fans what I can do when I get out on the pitch.”
Head coach, Gary Rowett, said: “Luke is a real high level young player who we are excited to work with.
“Last season, I watched a lot of Luke having kept a close eye on Birmingham City. He is a player with a lot of quality on the ball and someone who wants to take risks at the top end of the pitch.
“He has a lot of first team experience in the EFL for his age. We want to sign players that can have an immediate impact, and we feel Luke is ready to be a positive influence in our group.”
Prelec ‘Has Been Loaned’ to Oxford United
Following on from the news earlier in the week, Italian media claimed that striker Nik Prelec had “been loaned” to the U’s.
The report claims that the Slovenian would join Oxford on loan but the Championship club would have an obligation to buy if they stay in the second tier, with a fee of around €1 million.
Prelec hadn’t traveled with Cagliari for their pre-season training camp in Ponte di Legno.
U’s Lose Against the Gas
Oxford ended the week with a pre-season friendly defeat at home against Bristol Rovers.
There were home debuts for Jack Currie, Brian De Keersmaecker and recent signing, Luke Harris, while trialist Allan Campbell featured again after his second half outing at Mansfield.
The U’s conceded the only goal of the game late on at Grenoble Road as Gary Rowett’s side prepare to face two Spanish sides next week.
Academy Graduate Pens Professional Contract
On Sunday, highly-rated academy graduate Jack Lee signed his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old, who joined the U’s from Crystal Palace in 2023, bagged 30 goals for the U18s last season.
Speaking after signing, he said: “This means a lot to me, and to my family. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and it’s nice to finally sign.
“I was picked up by Oxford when I played against the U15 side during my time at Crystal Palace. I came off the bench and scored and got an assist and after that I signed for the club.
“Last season I managed to get 30 goals, which was my target at the beginning of the year. We had an exceptional season for the U18s to get into two semi-finals and then to second in the league.
“I want to get experience from the first team now. Playing under this gaffer, I will learn a lot, and when I get to train with the first team I want to take as much as I can.
“Getting to see how people like Sparky and Tom Bradshaw train every day, and to ask them questions, I can develop my game so much from there.
“I want to now train with the first team more and the ambition is to get another 30 goals with the Youth Academy and then make my Championship debut.”
U’s ‘Make Bid’ for Dutch Midfielder
Oxford have made a bid for Hererenven midfielder, Levi Smans, according to Sander de Vries.
However, the reports adds that the two clubs are no longer in contact, although Oxford’s interest remains on the 22-year-old.
Smans joined De Superfriezen on a four-year contract last summer from VVV-Venlo.
