Reading have been handed more competition in their chase of Colchester United winger Kyreece Lisbie after it was revealed that Oxford United are also weighing up a move.
The Royals have previously been touted as the front-runners to sign the 22-year-old, who played a starring role in the Essex side’s League Two season, which ended in a 12th-placed finish.
U’s Enter Fray
Leam Richardson’s side were believed to be facing a direct showdown with League One rivals Peterborough United to sign Lisbie, with Posh eyeing a reunion with his brother Kyrell, who has been at London Road since last summer.
However, a new twist has emerged with the Bicester Advertiser reporting that third-tier newcomers Oxford United have entered the race for the winger, who has one year left on his deal at Colchester.
It is reported that Oxford, under the guidance of former Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield, are now in the lead to sign Lisbie having held discussions with the club.
Previous reports have suggested that Colchester will command a six-figure fee in order to sign their versatile forward in the region between £500,000 and £750,000.
Reading have been longstanding admirers of the former Braintree Town prospect, and saw a January deadline-day deal for him collapse due to Danny Cowley’s side opting to keep their star winger as part of a push to reach the League Two playoffs.
U’s Would Be Ideal Destination
While both Reading and Peterborough United offer their own positives as a destination to join, Oxford United’s emergence as a transfer option should firmly put them ahead in the chase.
Matt Bloomfield has had a proven record of challenging at the top of this league through his time at Wycombe Wanderers, and with a majority of the squad being Championship-calibre players, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be firm contenders for the title.
Will Lankshear’s exit following his loan ending allows the U’s to rejig their attacking appearance, and that could see Jamie Donley finally step up to be the forward talisman, and move Stanley Mills to shift into the middle in order to accommodate an incoming Lisbie on the right-hand side of the field.
That would create one of the more exciting front lines in the third division next season, with Aidomo Emakhu still settling in at the club following his winter move from Millwall, with perhaps the striking option being the weaker link in that foursome.
Nevertheless, with one year on his deal at Colchester United remaining, the U’s may be forced into selling before they lose the chance to maximise their earnings, and Lisbie has certainly earned a chance to prove himself in League One.
