Oxford United are facing a showdown with fellow League One side Plymouth Argyle over Liam Henderson.
The Falkirk defender has been a regular presence in the Bairns’ first season back in the Scottish Premiership, playing 41 times and helping them to a sixth-placed finish under John McGlynn.
U’s Eye Double Deal
Returning for a second spell at Falkirk in 2022, Henderson has played 166 times for the club and has helped them to back-to-back promotions, putting the Stirlingshire side back in the top flight for the first time in 15 years.
However, many of their top stars are now being targeted by clubs across the EFL, with Henderson a target for both Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United, according to the Daily Record.
He is the second Bairns star linked with a switch with Matt Bloomfield’s side ahead of their return to League One, with previous reports also stating that they were interested in striker Barney Stewart.
The Record states that it would take a ‘significant six-figure bid’ for Falkirk to entertain a bid for Henderson, who has also come on the radar of the Devon side due to their Scottish director of football Derek Adams.
Midfielder Dylan Tait has also been touted with a move to League One, with previous reports stating that Argyle were battling Barnsley over the 24-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the month.
Oxford Plan Amid Helik Uncertainty
News of Oxford United looking at Liam Henderson comes as Michal Helik’s future at the Kassam Stadium has been cast into doubt.
Reports from his native Poland have suggested that sides in both the Championship and the Ekstraklasa are targeting summer moves for the former Huddersfield Town man with a £650,000 release clause in his deal.
That means that Matt Bloomfield is in need of alternatives, and Liam Henderson could be an ideal partner to Ciaron Brown, who still has a further year left on his U’s contract.
Across the Scottish Premiership season, the 29-year-old was a standout when it comes to gaining and retaining possession, something which may become more important as Oxford come down as a team looking to control games, having had the lowest average possession in the Championship last season.
Argyle Need New Defender
Plymouth Argyle face a similar situation to Oxford as they currently face uncertainty over the future of club captain Joe Edwards.
Negotiations between the 35-year-old and Tom Cleverley’s side have begun to stall, and with other League One and League Two clubs planning to make moves should he become a free agent, planning for a future without him is key.
Alex Mitchell’s future is still in doubt after his loan spell from Charlton Athletic came to an end, with both him and the Argyle boss wanting to make that move permanent going forward.
Should that deal go through, then Henderson may face more competition for a starting place in the squad at Home Park than at the Kassam with Mathias Ross also excelling at the back alongside Mitchell over the past few months.
