Oxford United are weighing up a move for Charlton Athletic‘s Alex Mitchell as Michal Helik’s future remains in the air.
The Polish international has been subject to speculation this summer, with reports suggesting that multiple Championship sides are considering activating his £650,000 buyout clause following the U’s relegation to League One.
Derby County were also linked with a January transfer for the former Huddersfield Town man, but were ultimately scuppered with Matt Bloomfield keeping him as part of Oxford’s failed bid to stay in the second tier.
Mitchell In Sights
With a change in division and a chance that their star centre-back could leave the Kassam this summer, United have already begun planning to sign alternatives to start alongside Ciaron Brown.
Reports from two weeks ago saw Falkirk defender Liam Henderson linked with a switch to Oxford and Plymouth Argyle, and now, according to Football League World, the pair will go to war once more to sign Alex Mitchell on a permanent deal.
The 24-year-old was on loan in Devon last season and played a starring role in Tom Cleverley’s resurgence at Home Park through the second half of the League One season.
Sent on loan to the Pilgrims from Charlton Athletic, he played 40 times in the third tier alongside Mathias Ross and quickly became a favourite of the ex-Watford boss, who expressed that he would be keen to keep Mitchell for good.
A previous League One promotion winner with the Addicks under Nathan Jones, the defender was displaced over the summer by the signings of Reece Burke and James Bree and later Conor Coady and Collins Sichenje in January.
Priorities Needed In Battle
News that Oxford United are now pursuing Alex Mitchell this summer means that the U’s and Plymouth Argyle are now battling for the same two targets, having also expressed interest in Liam Henderson.
The pair would both be great signings for either side, but a decision will have to be made about which player they will want to prioritise in negotiations.
Alex Mitchell may already have a leaning towards Plymouth Argyle due to his promising loan spell at the club, and with an air of positivity around Home Park following the strong end to their season, ending up there permanently may be appealing to him.
However, regardless of the destination, the choice is up to Charlton Athletic as to whether to sell Mitchell, who has one year left on his contract.
The 24-year-old was by no means a crucial star in their promotion to the Championship, but given his efforts at Argyle this past 12 months, Nathan Jones may reconsider his stance and slot him in to his back three system.
However, with Collins Sichenje signed as their defender of the future, Mitchell may not be afforded that opportunity, and cashing in is probably the best choice the Addicks can make.
