We have looked at defenders and we have looked at midfielders, but now we are going to look at five out of contract wingers that Oxford could sign in the summer.
Based on the last couple of seasons, we know that Karl Robinson is very fond and very specific on wingers in his trusted system, therefore we have decided to focus an entire piece on five!
Of the current players in the squad, Mide Shodipo, Brandon Barker and Elliot Lee are on loan and summer signing Joel Cooper was loaned back to Northern Ireland side Linfield. That just leaves Mark Sykes (who saw his contract extended by a further year this week), James Henry and Anthony Forde, with the latter two out of contract in the summer, and don’t fit the model of a winger that the manager is looking for.
While it’s likely their deals will be renewed, Robinson will need reinforcements during the summer window. Here are five out of contract wingers that the U’s could sign in the summer.
Read also: Five Out of Contract Midfielders Oxford Could Look to Sign
Sullay Kaikai
Blackpool winger Sullay Kaikai is out of contract in the summer. The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Crystal Palace and spent much of his career out on loan before joining the Seasiders in 2019.
The left-sided winger has scored 13 and added 13 assists from 68 appearances, including seven goals and eight assists this season. However, Blackpool do have the option to extend his current deal by a further year.
Kwadwo Baah
Eighteen-year-old left-winger Kwadwo Baah is a promising youngster, so much so that Manchester City have previously shown interest. The Guardian reported in February that the Citizens were set to sign the youngster but a deal fell through. Although a move to City in the summer could yet materialise, he may still be a target for the U’s.
Baah won’t break into the City side, meaning if he were to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side then a loan move away would be extremely likely. The youngster has five goal contributions from 29 league games this season.
Owen Dale
Another winger excelling in League One is 22-year-old Owen Dale. The right-sided midfielder has impressed this season for Crewe, scoring 11 league goals from 41 appearances, including a brace in a 2-2 draw against Charlton on Tuesday night.
Dale came through the academy at Crewe and was part of the side that won promotion to League One last season. He has surpassed 100 appearances for the club but could be set for a new challenge in the summer. However, like Kaikai, Crewe have the option for an additional year.
Hakeeb Adelakun
Oxford United were reportedly linked with 24-year-old Bristol City winger Hakeeb Adelakun last summer, but he joined recently relegated Hull City instead.
During his time with the Tigers, Adelakun netted three times and assisted once from 14 appearances before he was recalled by Bristol City. He has managed just two appearances for the Robins and has been left out of the last 20 matchday squads, raising question marks about his future.
Harry Chapman
Our final selection is Harry Chapman. Like Dale and Adelakun, the 23-year-old is a right sided winger. He has enjoyed a successful season on loan with Shrewsbury, where he has scored seven and added two assists from 21 league games.
However, he is out of contract at parent club Blackburn Rovers in the summer and a permanent move away looks likely. In League One, the winger looks comfortable and Oxford could be a good destination.
Brandon Barker
We have already covered players that are out of contract who are on loan with the U’s (read here) but Brandon Barker deserves another mention. The winger has scored three times and added four assists since joining on loan from Rangers, where he is out of contract in the summer.
While he could cut it at a higher level, his inconsistencies and injuries may hold him back at this stage of his career, making a move to Oxford a sensible short term option if a financial deal can be agreed.
*Note: All contracts were due to expire at the time of writing. All contract information was gathered from Transfermarkt
