Swansea City are interested in current Oxford United and former Cardiff City striker Mark Harris, according to a report from journalist Alan Nixon.
Harris played a crucial part in Oxford’s promotion campaign last season, playing in all 46 games and scoring 15 times in League One as the O’s were promoted from England’s third tier for the first time in two-and-a-half decades.
The Welshman has now been linked with a move back over the border, with the Swans interested in the striker. Harris has had spells with the likes of fellow Welsh sides Cardiff, Newport County and Wrexham, and now has the potential to complete the quartet.
Oxford picked up Mark Harris last summer on a long-term contract following his departure from the Bluebirds. After losing key player Josh Murphy to Portsmouth, head coach Des Buckingham will hope nothing materialises from the Swansea City links and that he can keep another one of his key players going into the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
The U’s have been busy in the transfer market already this summer, having brought in the likes of Will Vauks, Peter Kioso and Jacob Knightbridge as well as making Jamie Cummigs’ loan a permanent one after his heroics last season.
It is no secret the Jacks are looking for a new striker, with top scorer and loanee Jamal Lowe returning to his parent club Bournemouth and subsequently joining Sheffield Wednesday, alongside Jerry Yates who is set to join newly promoted Derby County on loan, according to Pete O’Rouke. Swansea have now seemingly turned their interest towards Harris, who has earned five caps for the Wales national team.
Writer’s View
It’s not surprising that Swansea City are looking to bring in attacking reinforcements during the transfer window. The departures of both of their top scorers have left a gaping hole in their attack, which at times last season wasn’t firing on all cylinders. Manager Luke Williams seems to be looking towards adding some home-grown Welsh talent, but whether Harris will want to join or not is another question
From an Oxford perspective, losing another star player from the promotion campaign when they have already lost Murphy would be nothing short of a massive setback for their survival hopes for next season. Although the U’s have so far recruited well, a long summer is still ahead of the club as they look to defy the odds and avoid relegation back down to the third tier.
