Oxford United manager Karl Robinson has put a price tag on winger Gavin Whyte, but the U’s boss is reluctant to sell him.
Robinson insists that it will take an offer in excess of £4 million for the Northern Ireland international to depart the Kassam Stadium.
Gavin Whyte Given Market Value
Whyte’s Career So Far
Gavin Whyte became an exceptional signing when he joined the U’s just last summer. It was believed to be a fee in the region of £100,000 from Crusaders.
The winger, who has also been called up to Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad, featured 36 times for the U’s, scoring seven goals.
Prior to his debut season in England, he had netted an impressive 43 goals in 132 appearances for the NIFL Premiership side. During his time there, he won three league titles in four years.
Whyte, who scored on his senior international debut, has made five appearances for the senior side. He also featured seven times for the Northern Ireland U21 side.
Interest in Whyte
It was reported at the beginning of the month by Gareth Fullerton of Belfast Live that Nottingham Forest were interested in the winger. It was said that the Championship side were looking to place a £2 million bid for Whyte.
Rumours were rife with the link of Whyte and Forest, but no bid has yet been made. It is likely the new price tag given to the winger could delay proceedings further.
Whyte was also an interest to Leeds United last summer, but the Northern Irish man decided to join Oxford instead to better his career.
He told The Belfast Telegraph: “At that stage, Leeds was where I wanted to go. Because everyone knows they are a massive club and I knew Stuart Dallas.
“Obviously it’s easy to say it now, but I know I made the right decision in the end going to Oxford. Because I played a lot of games in the first team and I’m really enjoying it.
“If I’d signed for Leeds I probably would have played a lot of Under-23 games. And I may not have enjoyed it as much or progressed the way I have at Oxford.”
Whyte Set For Record Oxford Transfer?
If, or when, Oxford sell Whyte for upwards of £4 million, he would become a record transfer sale for the club.
This currently stands with Kemar Roofe, who joined Leeds in 2016 for £3 million following the U’s promotion from League Two.
Karl Robinson
Oxford manager Karl Robinson is adamant the winger won’t go for less than the asking price.
Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “It’s going to cost over £4 million for Gavin Whyte. That’s what it is.
“We’ve had nothing, so I’m not talking about any other club. I don’t want any other club to think I’m being disrespectful. But we have a value.”
Robinson added: “I sold Ademola Lookman (to Everton) for more than £9 million. Ezri Konsa as a centre back was over £3 million (to Brentford), Del (Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur) was over £5 million.
“We’ve got to be confident in the fact that our players are not for sale. Unless you want to pay what we think these players are going to be worth.
“If we want to build a team we have to keep our best players. And if we don’t (then it has to be because) it gives us tremendous flexibility to go and bring in a lot more players.
Whyte’s season eventually finished last night, but the winger didn’t feature in Northern Irelands 1-0 win at Belarus.
Good news from Robinson’s angle is that the winger, who played 90 minutes against Estonia, is not agitating for a move.
“I’ve spoken to Gavin and he’s happy,” the U’s boss said.
“He knows exactly where the land lies. He knows how much support we’re going to give him and how much we’ll help each other.
“I think we’ve stuck by him, given him a chance and helped him through certain stages. But equally he’s paid us back more than enough in his performances.”
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