Oxford United have had a tremendous season so far. The U’s sit 3rd in League One, and reached the FA Cup fourth round and Carabao Cup quarter-finals, losing to Newcastle United and Manchester City respectively.
Unfortunately, as a result, the players that have showcased their ability and form will also be an attraction for clubs in higher divisions. Here are five players that could leave this summer.
Oxford United’s number one goalkeeper has been a key asset to the club since his arrival in 2016. The 30-year-old probably has one more big move in him and it has been mooted that the former Huddersfield Town man would like to move back up north. This season, Eastwood has made 38 appearances, with only injuries keeping him out the team. The goalkeeper has now played over just short of 200 games for the U’s.
Rob Dickie has come on leaps and bounds since his arrival from Reading in January 2018. The defender is now one of the Football League’s top talents, with Burnley, Southampton and Leeds United already monitoring the 24-year-old. Dickie has played 46 times this season and has rarely put a foot wrong.
Like Dickie, Cameron Brannagan also arrived in January 2018 and also like Dickie, he is being monitored by Leeds United. The Championship side have sent scouts to keep an eye on the 23-year-old former Liverpool man and if Oxford fail to win promotion to the Championship, a move away from Grenoble Road is highly likely. One of the U’s most consistent performers, Brannagan has already made over 100 appearances for the club.
An unsung hero for Oxford this season, Mark Sykes could be a big loss if he were to leave in the summer. It looked likely that the 22-year-old would be loaned out at the start of the season, but with a depleted squad and a surge in form from the Northern Irishman, Sykes has scored twice and made seven assists from 36 appearances.
Although Matty Taylor is on loan from Bristol City, a permanent move to Grenoble Road is also highly likely. However, the Oxford-born striker has already said that he won’t hold contract talks with the U’s until the summer, leaving his options open for if Oxford fail to secure promotion. Taylor has been key for Karl Robinson this season, scoring 17 goals.
