Sheffield Wednesday’s Will Vaulks is expected to join Oxford United following the expiration of his contract at Hillsborough this summer according to The Star.
It has been reported that the Owls have wanted to keep hold of the midfielder but terms are yet to be agreed and it looks highly likely that he’ll now be playing elsewhere next term. Vaulks would become an integral part of the side in the second half of the season and would in turn scoop the club’s player of the season award.
Wednesday would enjoy a rather great escape, securing their Championship status thanks to a 2-0 win over Sunderland on the final day of the season having at one point looked dead and buried. The midfielder was instrumental to their late survival and will be a rather significant loss if he is to depart.
With over 450 senior appearances to his name, the majority of those coming in the Championship, Vaulks is vastly experienced and despite now being 30, still has plenty to give. He’s also got experience at an international level for Wales, who he has represented seven times, albeit not since 2022.
Newly-promoted Oxford United are expected to capture his signature and it will be an important signing for the U’s who will be looking to establish themselves in the second tier next term. Although it would potentially be a risky move for the midfielder, he will know that he will be one of the star men at the Kassam Stadium and will have received an attractive offer.
It was reported by the Rotherham Advertiser in February that the Millers had displayed an interest in the 30-year-old yet a move never materialised. It is unknown whether they still retained that said interest, but they may have found it hard to convince Vaulks to move given they’ll be playing in the third tier next season.
It will be somewhat of a coup for Oxford who are expected to sign the midfielder on a free. Given he is valued at around the £770,000 mark by Transfermarkt, it would represent a great piece of business by the U’s.
Writer’s View
Vaulks would be a quite frankly superb signing for Oxford as he’d bring proven Championship quality to a side who need it. The fact that he is available on a free makes the deal all the more sweeter.
It is unlikely that Rotherham still retained an interest in their former player given their recent shopping spree but that is yet to be confirmed. He’d likewise have been a great addition for the Millers but does still seem to be too good to drop into the third division.
It’s a huge step in the right direction for Oxford if they are to pull off the signing and they’ll be looking to prove doubters wrong next term.
