Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett says outgoings are more likely than incomings as the club enters the last few hours of the transfer window.
The U’s sit comfortably in 16th in the Championship after a good spell, despite many tipping them for instant relegation. The side have been busy in the transfer window strengthening their squad, with no fewer than five additions as they look to secure their place in the second tier.
The window so far has seen them add experienced Championship players such as Michal Helik and Tom Bradshaw, while Ole Romeny and Alex Matos have joined, the latter on loan. Winger Stan Mills has also returned permanently from Everton, after a productive loan spell in 2023/24 which was curtailed by a serious knee injury.
With very little time left in the window, boss Rowett has admitted it is more likely that players will leave the Kassam Stadium than arrive in Oxfordshire.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he confirmed that Mills will likely be the last arrival. He said, “We’re trying to get that balance right. I think it’s a good signing and I think we’ve had a decent window.
“More or less in terms of ins, that’ll certainly be the end of it I imagine.”
The club’s transfers thus far mean the club are on the 25-man squad limit, so Rowett thinks some departures are likely.
“It’s one of those at the moment where players that have not been involved in the squad know that game time is going to be limited for them potentially, so you have a choice as a player.
“You have the choice if you’ve got the opportunity to go and play somewhere else, and it works for you, then great, and then you make that decision.
“I’d imagine there’ll be some opportunities for some players to go out, and it’ll be down to them whether they want to, but certainly I think if there’s an opportunity for people to go and play football, I would hope they would want to given it’s the right opportunity.”
Writer’s View
This makes sense from Oxford’s point of view. There’s no point adding in January unless the player will make a difference, and Rowett is clearly happy with his squad. The new arrivals know the club and the league so will have real impact, whereas a panic buy probably wouldn’t. This is a shrewd move.
