Blackpool are in a transfer face-off with League One opponents Oxford United in a bid to sign Welsh striker Mark Harris, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.
The 24-year-old forward, who has just departed Championship outfit Cardiff City upon the expiration of his contract, is understood to be deciding which club he prefers to join out of the two, with Derby County and Blackburn Rovers also keen but only for their squads.
Who is Mark Harris?
Signing his first professional contract at Cardiff City in December 2016, Harris went on to make his first-team debut in January 2017 in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup third round, in which he replaced veteran Greg Halford from the bench.
Loan spells away from the Bluebirds followed, with Harris’ first temporary move away from Cardiff was to join League Two and fellow Welsh side Newport County, in which he spent the first half of the 2018/19 season.
In 20 appearances for the Exiles in all competitions, the forward came up with three goals and an assist before returning to Cardiff and then, heading out on loan to Port Vale for the second half of the campaign, in which he failed to score in six appearances.
A third and final temporary move away would take place for Harris, dropping down to the National League to play for Wrexham for the 2019/20 season, signed by then-manager Bryan Hughes. Following three goals in 25 appearances at the Racecourse Ground, the 24-year-old was sent back to Cardiff in January after losing his place under new boss Dean Keates.
In total, Harris went on to make 95 appearances for the Bluebirds in all competitions, scoring ten goals as he left the club when his contract expired despite being offered a new one at the Championship outfit.
Oxford or Blackpool?
As previously stated, it is understood the 24-year-old Welsh forward will either make the move to the Kassam Stadium or he will be making the switch to Bloomfield Road, despite interest from the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.
Looking to improve on their 19th-place finish in League One last season, Liam Manning and Oxford United have made a strong start to their summer business, capturing in-demand Notts County star Ruben Rodrigues.
As well as the Portuguese playmaker, Oxford have also signed the likes of Jordan Thorniley from Blackpool and Josh McEachran from MK Dons, alongside loan arrivals in James Beadle and Fin Stevens from Brighton and Brentford respectively.
For Neil Critchley and Blackpool however, the Tangerines are looking for an instant return to the Championship following relegation last season, taking the drop alongside Wigan Athletic and Reading.
Joining the Bloomfield Road outfit over the summer so far include the likes of midfielders Ollie Norburn and Albie Morgan from Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic respectively, as well as sealing deals for defender Matthew Pennington and experienced shot-stopper Richard O’Donnell.
Writer’s View
It looks set that Mark Harris will be on the move to sign for a new club within the coming days/weeks, with Blackpool and Oxford United now coming down to the final two in the race for the signature of the 24-year-old.
During a somewhat unsettled time at Cardiff, Harris is a player that has nearly 100 Championship appearances to his name and I think for either of these two sides, he will be a good asset to have, knowing he has that experience of playing in the league above. With Oxford looking to keep building on last season’s disappointing campaign alongside Blackpool, who are now preparing for life back in League One, this is certainly a transfer battle to keep an eye on.
