Sources close to Football Lowdown have suggested an unnamed Championship club are plotting a £1m move for Oxford United midfielder Jamie McDonnell.
McDonnell only joined the club in January, sealing a move thought to be worth around £1m to United, but their recent troubles have sparked a suggestion they may need to initiate a sale.
McDonnell started five games, but had impressed during loan spells with Mansfield Town and Colchester United. His £1m move was seen as something of a coup at the time, but a subsequent relegation has now seen him drop permanently to a level he was previously only a loan star in.
With news that Millwall are plotting a cut-price Ciaron Brown raid, it has been reported to us that other Oxford players may be at risk, with at least one serious enquiry from a Championship outfit. At this stage, that club hasn’t been named, but they’re hoping to offer Oxford United a ‘get your cash back’ deal in order to secure a player with what many see as incremental value long term.
McDonnell began his career with Lisburn Youth and Glentoran before joining Nottingham Forest’s academy in 2020. The defensive midfielder progressed through the ranks, captained Forest’s under-18 side and earned a professional contract, followed by a new deal after establishing himself as one of the club’s promising young players.
He gained senior experience during loan spells with Colchester United and Mansfield Town before completing a permanent move to the Kassam for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £1m. Despite his relatively limited experience, the recent change of manager, relegation and transfer embargo have created a perfect storm that some opportunistic recruitment teams believe will open the door for an early exit from OX4.
Troubles For Oxford United
Oxford are under a temporary registration embargo because they do not currently comply with the EFL’s Salary Cost Management Protocol, the financial rules used in League One and League Two. Those rules limit how much a club can spend on player-related costs in relation to its turnover and permitted owner funding.
Following relegation from the Championship, Oxford have had to adjust to League One’s reporting requirements, while a rule change means clubs can no longer rely on owner investment being injected gradually during the season. Oxford have therefore been unable to demonstrate that their current playing budget is adequately funded under the regulations.
To have it lifted, the club must provide enough qualifying shareholder investment, reduce its player-related expenditure, increase eligible revenue, or use a combination of those measures until its budget falls within the permitted limit. Oxford say their shareholders intend to provide further investment and that overall costs will be reduced, but the club’s statement only promises compliance ahead of the January transfer window.
