Following Oxford United’s 5-0 pre-season defeat at Rangers yesterday, the U’s have tabled two more bids for more players.
U’s boss, Karl Robinson and chairman, Sunrith Thanakarnjanasuth, sat down with other board members to discuss transfer proceedings, and they’ve since made offers.
Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “We’ve put money on the table for two players. Whether they decide to come, or whether there are options out there (I don’t know).
“They are adventurous ones. We’ve tried everything we possibly can and we’ll see where it goes.”
Tariqe Fosu and Alex Gorrin are the only senior players to arrive this summer, whilst Kevin Berkoe, Sam Allardyce and Yoav Sade have joined the academy squad.
The U’s made a substantial offer for Motherwell winger, Chris Cadden, but the deal seems uncertain with Sunderland and MLS side, Columbus Crew, both looking at the midfielder.
The U’s boss wants another five signings before the season starts, and met a striker on his drive back south last night in an attempt to make progress.
He raised concerns, and hoped to have made most of the transfer Dealings early in the summer, but the U’s boss isn’t too down.
He added: “I’m meeting a striker on the way home tonight to have a conversation and see where their head is. I’m meeting another one tomorrow. But meeting them and getting them done are two different things.”
Gavin Whyte, who was interest for Nottingham Forest in the summer, played as the main striker in the U’s defeat at Ibrox with Jamie Mackie injured, and the Northern Ireland international is capable of scoring when in that position.
Robinson admitted that the midfielder could feature up top on a more regular basis this season, but it’s imperative that the U’s find some natural striker’s to join the squad this summer.
Looking at the squad, two key areas are in need of additions. Certainly, the U’s need a couple for forwards, as Mackie will struggle to feature all season. The other area is at centre back, after Cardiff City signed Curtis Nelson. The U’s do have people that can play there, but definitely not of the calibre of the former skipper.
