The season may be over, but we’re still bringing you a weekly round-up of the goings-on at Oxford United. This week is all about transfer rumours, with reports suggesting a U’s defender is a target for a Championship club and a midfielder is looked at by a League One rival, while Oxford are keeping an eye on a Cambridge United midfielder.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Transfer Rumours Begin With Two Linked to Moves Away
Bristol City Linked With Rob Atkinson
On Monday, Oxford United defender Rob Atkinson was linked with a move to Bristol City, according to Gregor MacGregor.
The 22-year-old has had a stellar debut season in the Football League, having only joined the club in January 2020. The defender has made 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.
Atkinson, who was named in the League One Team of the Season, has piqued the interest of manager Nigel Pearson, who is looking for stability in his backline.
Oxford ‘In Race’ to Sign Paul Digby
According to the Football Insider, Oxford are one of several League One clubs looking to sign Cambridge United midfielder, Paul Digby.
Sunderland and Charlton Athletic are also believed to be interested, with the Addicks the favourite to land the 26-year-old.
Digby will be playing in the third tier regardless of a summer move after the U’s secured promotion from League Two, but he has refused a new contract at the Abbey Stadium.
If Oxford were to sign the holding midfielder, it would provide cover should Cameron Brannagan depart, with the 25-year-old linked with a move away.
Mark Sykes Linked With The Tractor Boys
As reported by Mike Bacon at the East Anglian Daily Times, U’s midfielder Mark Sykes has emerged as a transfer target for Ipswich Town.
The 23-year-old, who joined the club in January 2019, has made 91 appearances for the U’s, including 41 this term.
The midfielder was out of contract in the summer but the club have recently activated a one-year extension.
Retained List and Josh Ruffels News
On Tuesday, Oxford United announced their retained list. Of the senior players, only Rob Hall and Dylan Asonganyi have been released, while Anthony Forde and John Mousinho have been offered new deals.
The club haven’t offered Josh Ruffels a new deal, with the defender having been offered fresh terms already this season. As a result, U’s boss Karl Robinson had given the Oxford-born defender until the weekend to decide on his future, with Nottingham Forest one club that has shown interest in recent weeks.
Sting in the Tail Following Bee’s Promotion
Following Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League, Oxford have missed out on a bonus themselves with a clause in Shandon Baptiste’s contract.
The 23-year-old, who made the switch to Griffin Park along with Tariqe Fosu in January 2020, hasn’t made enough appearances for Brentford. As a result, the U’s have missed out on a reported £500,000 with a promotion bonus clause in his contract.
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