Home Sports Record fee, key areas and exits: Deadline day state of play at Oxford United

Record fee, key areas and exits: Deadline day state of play at Oxford United

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Record fee, key areas and exits: Deadline day state of play at Oxford United

The summer transfer market closes at 11pm tonight, with the U’s recruitment team still working on a couple of late in the window deals.

United’s latest signing, Siriki Dembele from Birmingham City, arrived officially for an undisclosed fee.

It is this newspaper’s understanding though that the Blues were looking for a fee in the region of between £1 million and £1.5 million to secure his signature.

The U’s managed to do that, with it believed that fellow Sky Bet Championship side Hull City had shown a strong interest in Dembele, who ultimately chose to join United.

Dembele became signing number 15 for the U’s this summer, in what has been a jam-packed window for the club.

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Every area of the pitch, aside from centre back, has been reinforced and strengthened this summer.

Going into the final hours of the window, it seems as though a maximum of two players will be sought.

It’s centre half which is likely to be the main objective, with another striker still also desired.

United face probably two options when it comes to centre back. Either a talented Premier League youngster on loan, or a defender with a bit more experience at this level, but not currently involved in first team action.

As for the centre forward, it’s a position that most fans across the country will be crying out for.

It’s no different with the U’s, who would no doubt struggle without Mark Harris, if injury was to strike him down.

Currently, there is Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dane Scarlett who could step in, with Will Goodwin injured, while Matt Phillips provides an interesting option, as does Ruben Rodrigues in a false nine role.

Essentially though, an out and out striker is what United need, not necessarily a player who can fulfil different roles and occupy different positions.

A genuine goal threat basically. A centre forward in the mould of Harris would be ideal, but a mobile target player or a veteran fox in the box would also be welcomed with open arms.

As well as incomings, there is also the small matter of exits too. The U’s must submit a 25-man squad at the end of the window, with rules on Under-21 players and the like.

In order to make room for any potential new faces, there will almost certainly have to be some outgoings, whether that be on loan or on a permanent basis.

A loan exit for summer signing Jack Currie, a move of some sorts for Jordan Thorniley, or even leaving out the injured Goodwin seem the most likely resolutions for United at this stage.