Exciting times lie ahead for Oxford United, who will be competing in the second tier next season for the first time in 25 years after they won promotion to the Championship with a League One play-off final win over Bolton Wanderers back in May.

But while the U’s will be relishing the opportunity to take on the likes of Leeds United, Des Buckingham’s men could find maintaining their Championship status a tough challenge.

From the very beginning of the new season, Oxford face difficult fixtures as they host last campaign’s play-off semi-finalists Norwich City on the opening weekend, before a trip to top-six hopefuls Coventry City just six days later, while an EFL Cup clash with League One Peterborough United is sandwiched in between.

As Buckingham and co prepare to adjust to life in the Championship, it is vital that they get their transfer business right this summer andsigning players from the Premier League would certainly help their cause.

Football League World takes a closer look at four top-flight players the U’s could sign in the coming weeks…

Will Lankshear

In order to survive in the Championship, Oxford will clearly need to threaten in front of goal at second tier level and Tottenham Hotspur starlet Will Lankshear could certainly help Buckingham’s men do just that.

The 19-year-old returned 23 goals in 23 Premier League 2 appearances last season, so Spurs should now be keen to see what their youngster can do in the senior game.

A loan move to the Championship could be ideal for Lankshear’s development at this point, while the U’s are in need of a player who can score the goals which will keep them in the division.

However, should they pursue Lankshear’s signature, the U’s will face competition from fellow second tier outfit Middlesbrough, who are also interested in the starlet’s services, as first revealed by Football League World.

From Spurs’ point of view, a loan move to the Kassam Stadium could be better than a loan move to the Riverside, as the young forward would not have to relocate as far, while Boro hot-shot Emmanuel Latte Lath could keep the teenager out of Michael Carrick’s team.

Lewis Orford

The U’s boast talented midfielders in their squad, but Buckingham should be looking to improve his side in all areas of the pitch following promotion to the Championship.

One man who would certainly add yet more quality to the middle of the park is West Ham prodigy Lewis Orford, who scored eight goals and created a further seven in 33 appearances in all competitions for the Irons under-21 side last campaign.

Four of those goal contributions came in last season’s EFL Trophy competition, as he made three assists and scored one goal.

The 18-year-old has represented England at youth international level, and also featured for the Irons as they defeated fellow London side Arsenal in the 2023 FA Youth Cup final.

Jamie Donley

Lankshear is not the only young Spurs forward who should be on Oxford’s radar this summer, as Jamie Donley scored five goals and produced 12 assists in just 17 PL2 outings last campaign.

If the U’s are able to pursue loan deals for both, they could prove to be a menacing duo in the Championship due to Lankshear’s impressive eye for goal and Donley’s undoubted creativity.

Donley could also be a solid alternative to Lankshear, should the latter join Boro instead, while the fact that the former briefly featured in three Premier League fixtures last campaign could indicate that he is ready for regular senior football, but he will not find that at Spurs just yet.

Juan Larios

Southampton right-back Juan Larios has not appeared for the Saints since he made five appearances during the 2022/23 Premier League season, which is a situation the U’s can look to capitalise on.

Larios has previously suffered from long-term injuries, but as reported by the Southern Daily Echo, he returned to the Saints’ training sessions back in March.

But for as long as England international Kyle Walker-Peters remains with Russell Martin’s men, the 20-year-old Spaniard is unlikely to break into the team.

In an effort to strengthen their defence and assuming the Saints are happy to let him go, the U’s could enquire for Larios on loan and if they land a deal for the former Spain Under-19 international and ex-Manchester City youth player, it would be a real coup for Buckingham and co.

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