Oxford boss Karl Robinson has reluctantly admitted that winger Gavin Whyte will leave the club to join a Championship side, as reported by The Oxford Mail.
The 23-year-old has attracted lots of interest from Championship clubs during the summer but Cardiff City will be his destination, where he will take part in a medical early next week.
Speaking after his sides 1-1 draw at Solihull Moors, Robinson said: “I expect him to leave. The bid that we’ve had that we’ve still not 100 per cent accepted – and there’s still loads of things that can go right or wrong – is good.
“Everybody will want more, they will want a lot less. That’s where we’re at right now.”
After it was rumoured that Nottingham Forest were making noises for the winger at a cost of £2 million, Robinson immediately put a £4 million price tag on the Northern Ireland international.
But earlier this week, it was reported that the Bluebirds had tabled a £1.5 million bid for the winger, something Robinson later nullified.
But after Wales Online confirmed just days later that a £2 million offer was made, it looked like there was more than meets the eye with this deal.
Robinson added: “People deserve to know what’s going on. Are we frustrated? I think you know we are, but it’s not time for anyone to be unhappy, it’s about us sticking together and trying to find players that make us a better team.
Despite the offer not reaching Robinson’s demands, the manager admitted it could still work out to be a good deal. The offer will include add-ons, and despite negotiations still to iron out, it’s a major turnover considering the club signed Whyte for £100,000 just last summer.
It will be another bitter blow in a summer of woes at Oxford. Having only brought in three new faces, Robinson and the club keep seeming to miss out on their transfer targets. The money would boost the club, and hopefully, it can be invested in the squad as soon as possible, but that seems all the more unlikely at the days pass.
