Oxford United’s pursuit of Marvin Johnson appears to be in doubt, as The Star has revealed fresh details.
The Championship new boys are thought to be after the Sheffield Wednesday wide player as they look to consolidate their position in England’s second tier. Des Buckingham’s side are back in the top two divisions for the first time this century, and they’ve identified the wideman as one option to replace Josh Murphy, who left for Portsmouth.
Johnson’s days appeared numbered with the Owls when Xisco Munoz froze him out, but Danny Rohl reintegrated him into the squad. He made 30 appearances for the club last season, operating as both a winger and a wing-back, but has dropped down the pecking order since the arrival of Max Lowe.
That’s left the 33-year-old the subject of intense speculation, but in a recent transfer update, it has been revealed that Oxford’s pursuit of the player is far from solid or complete.
In their roundup of Owls’ business today, they said, “The Star reported interest from Oxford United, but any chance of a deal there is at this stage looking increasingly unlikely.”
That means he is unlikely to become their 15th summer signing as they attempt to remain in the second tier. They’ve had a strong start to life back in the big time – an opening-day victory against Norwich surprised many, while they put up a courageous fight against Coventry City, going down 3-2. They also brushed aside Peterborough United in the League Cup, a competition which could hold some joy, and one they won back in 1986 when they were a top-flight team.
Johnson is no stranger to Oxford, having been with the club in the 2016/17 season before departing for Middlesbrough for a fee thought to be worth £2.7 million to the U’s. He played 97 times for Boro in the Championship before his move to Wednesday, and he was a key part of their squad that qualified for the play-offs twice, eventually earning promotion in 2023.
Writer’s View
This is an odd one. At 33, Johnson is not a young man, and his value to a Championship side may be questioned. In the modern game age is not a barometer of fitness, but surely Oxford would be looking for players with bigger resale value and less risk?
That said, Derby are also sniffing around, looking to strengthen their grip on second-tier football, having been promoted automatically last season after two years outside the top two divisions. There’s no mention of them in the Star report, but of the two clubs, Derby would surely be more attractive. Johnson wouldn’t have to uproot and move far, and with respect, they’re a bigger club than Oxford, with a better stadium and potentially loftier ambition.
Oxford fans shouldn’t feel too disheartened if they do miss out; they’ve started reasonably well, and on current form, will be away from the bottom three come the end of the season.
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