Oxford United are at risk of losing midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker, according to Alan Nixon.
The 26-year-old, who joined the U’s last summer, is a target for Championship club Derby following Oxford’s relegation from the second tier.
Read More: Five Positions Oxford United Need to Strengthen This Summer
Oxford United Midfielder Targeted By Championship Club
Brian De Keersmaecker on the Move?
According to Nixon, the Rams are “ready to open talks” for Oxford’s marquee summer signing.
The midfielder turned out 28 times for the U’s but his season was curtailed with a shoulder injury he sustained in January.
Despite the setback, he still contributed two goals and five assists in an unsettled Oxford midfield and, with Blackburn also showing interest last summer, it’s little surprise that Championship interest remains in the Belgian.
He joined from Eredivisie side Heracles for a reported fee of over £1.5 million, so the U’s will be looking to recoup as much of that transfer fee as possible if they are to move him on.
Oxford’s Midfield Struggles
Despite a severe injury setback, De Keersmaecker was still one of Oxford’s most influential midfielders last season.
Skipper Cameron Brannagan also had injury setbacks while Will Vaulks is entering the latter stages of his career and won’t have the legs for a full campaign in League One.
Yunus Konak was an inspiring loan and it will be an important campaign for January signing Jamie McDonnell, but it remains an area of the pitch that Matt Bloomfield will need to strengthen in the summer.
On Bloomfield, he was left frustrated after the Belgian opted for surgery at the time, saying: “The club invested heavily in Brian last summer and he was a big signing for the football club, we thought he could recover and play and it’s really frustrating that he won’t.”
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / NurPhoto
