Oxford United began the month, and the new year, with a dramatic victory on the road at Charlton. The U’s fell behind inside five minutes but Mark Harris netted his league first goal in over four months to level the match, before Oisin Smyth scored his first Oxford goal – a screamer from 30 yards.
Joe Taylor was the first player to be linked with a move to Oxford. The Luton striker has enjoyed a season in front of goal at Colchester but the Hatters were reportedly looking to send him to the third tier. He eventually signed for Lincoln.
Leeds United then recalled Sonny Perkins from his loan spell. The 19-year-old managed just six appearances in all competitions, scoring once, while playing just five minutes of league football.
Reports then began to circulate suggesting the U’s had placed a bid for Chesterfield winger, Armando Dobra. The 22-year-old only had six months left on his current deal but would commit his future to the National League club.
Reports of another bid then emerged with Ipswich rejected bids for midfielder, Idris El Mizouni. The Leyton Orient loanee has attracted interest from several League One clubs with Oxford being one of them.
With Oxford showing interest in El Mizouni, rumours of a departure for Alex Gorrin began. The holding midfielder is out of contract at the end of January and Forest Green were holding talks with the 30-year-old.
The U’s then bowed out of the FA Cup in devastating style with a 6-2 defeat at Coventry. The Championship club were too much for Oxford despite goals from Mark Harris and Tyler Goodrham.
However, after Stanley Mills picked up an injury in that defeat, the winger returned to Everton. The 20-year-old had an impressive loan spell but injury cut his time at the club short.
Kyle Edwards was the next player to return to his parent club. The winger has also impressed but injuries have hampered his game time.
A third player on the same day then left the club as James Beadle was recalled from his loan spell by Brighton before joining Sheffield Wednesday. The 19-year-old goalkeeper made 28 appearances for the club, keeping nine clean sheets.
With Beadle gone, Oxford were looking to line up a replacement and one name linked was Chelsea’s Jamie Cumming. The 24-year-old has had three loan spells in the Football League and played under Liam Manning at MK Dons.
Joe Bennett then extended his short-term deal until the end of the season. The 33-year-old joined in December and covered with Greg Leigh missing through injury.
The U’s then boosted their attacking options with the signing of former Millwall forward, Tyler Burey. The 23-year-old joined on loan until the end of the season from Danish side, Odense.
Tyler Goodrham was the next player to commit his future to the club. The academy graduate penned a new “long-term” deal.
Oxford then replaced Beadle with the addition of Chelsea goalkeeper, Jamie Cumming. The 24-year-old joined on loan but does become a free agent in the summer.
Long-serving midfielder Alex Gorrin was the first player to depart. The 30-year-old joined the U’s in 2019 and he made well over 100 appearances before injuries hampered his playing time. The Spaniard joined up with former U’s striker Matty Taylor at Forest Green.
The U’s were then linked with a loan move for Brentford winger, Michael Olakigbe. However, Swansea, Blackburn and Derby were also reportedly interested.
Back to matters on the pitch and Oxford bounced back from their cup defeats with a 3-1 win at Carlisle. Mark Harris netted a brace before Tyler Goodrham added a third, while Jamie Cumming was unfortunate to concede after an impressive debut.
Transfer news again and Oxford were linked with a move for Cheltenham striker, Will Goodwin. The 21-year-old had netted six from 16 league games when the report came out.
An out-of-blue rumour followed with Marcus McGuane being linked with Polish side, Legia Warsaw. The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer but Oxford have the option of an additional 12 months.
There was then an update on Will Goodwin. Reports suggested that Oxford and Charlton had both seen bids rejected but the U’s were leading the race to sign the 21-year-old.
Kyle Edwards then penned a permanent deal until the end of the season. The 25-year-old was released by Ipswich so he has now signed a deal until the end of the season.
Back to Goodwin and reports claimed that Oxford had won the race for the 21-year-old. The fee was reported to be £400,000 and the striker will sign a two-and-a-half-year deal. The U’s then finally landed their man.
On the pitch, the U’s then suffered a defeat against promotion rivals, Barnsley. In difficult conditions for both sides, the visitors managed to weather the storm better than the U’s.
Ed McGinty was the next to depart with the goalkeeper returning to Sligo Rovers on loan. The 24-year-old returns ahead of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, which starts in February.
The U’s then suffered another defeat, this time on the road at Bristol Rovers. The Gas raced into a two-goal lead and while Oxford netted a fortuitous goal, Rovers restored their advantage late on.
Oxford target Michael Olakigbe had then reportedly agreed a deal to join Peterborough, with a medical scheduled for that day (Tuesday, January 30). However, reports claimed the U’s are still interested in the winger.
Having seen a bid rejected in the summer, Oxford’s interest in Fleetwood striker Jack Marriott was then linked with a move again. The Cod Army had transfer listed the 29-year-old.
The final game of the month came at home against league leaders Portsmouth. Tyler Goodrham gave the U’s the lead with another sensational solo effort but Pompey turned the game on its head and took the lead. But second-half substitute James Henry headed home a 90th-minute equaliser.
Blackpool winger Owen Dale was in attendance as Oxford drew against Portsmouth. Speaking after the game, Des Buckingham gave little away about the 25-year-old being at the game.
Reports then suggested that the Blackpool man had “agreed a deal” ahead of a permanent move to Grenoble Road.
After losing Jamie Cumming to injury against Portsmouth, the U’s were then linked with goalkeeper, Nathan Shepperd. The former Brentford B and Wales U21 international is a free agent after leaving Dundalk at the start of January.
After a string of positive displays, Tyler Goodrham was then linked with a move away. Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Hull and Coventry all showed interest in the 20-year-old.
Read More: Deadline Day Round-Up
On deadline day, Oxford landed their first signing with the arrival of Owen Dale from Blackpool. The 25-year-old joined for an undisclosed fee but the length of his contract hasn’t been made public.
The U’s then added midfielder Jay Matete, with the 22-year-old joining on loan from Sunderland. The Black Cats youngster has won promotion from League One in his last two seasons.
