Preston North End are hopeful they can seal a deal to sign Oxford United‘s Stanley Mills, with a quoted fee of £2 million.
The Lilywhites are known to be suitors of the League One side’s winger, with a report from Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider earlier in the week suggesting they were one of a number of Championship clubs keen on a move.
Potential Figure Revealed
Now, according to Alan Nixon through his Patreon channel, Preston North End are keen on a deal around the £2 million mark, with it unclear where Oxford United hold their valuation for the 22-year-old.
It is believed that Paul Heckingbottom’s side do have the funds to complete a deal for Mills, with the former Sheffield United boss keen on a formation change to try and improve the Deepdale side’s fortunes.
PNE are in need of a new winger this summer after the loan exit of Lewis Dobbin, with the Aston Villa man later going on to sign for Southampton in a reported £9 million deal.
Since moving to the Kassam Stadium on a permanent deal in 2025, Mills has established himself as a regular option under Matt Bloomfield, with 47 appearances to his name last season.
However, he is facing a disrupted pre-season preparation under new boss Aaron Ramsey, having been left out of the Yellows’ trip to Spain due to injury concerns.
Oxford are facing a massive crisis in terms of transfers this summer, with an embargo essentially ending any form of incoming business to the club until at least the January window.
Other players are being targeted by Championship clubs, with the Football Lowdown exclusively reporting that one unnamed side are eyeing a £1 million move for Jamie McDonnell.
Ban Should Dictate Transfer Decision
While Preston North End will be keen on making a move for Stan Mills as they look to try and redeem themselves following a poor season, their hopes may be essentially dashed by the developments at Oxford United.
Their transfer embargo should certainly lead to a shop-closed approach from Aaron Ramsey and his team, with the prospect of selling more players they cannot replace spelling disaster if moves are sanctioned.
With Myles Heart-Parris allowed to walk in order to join Middlesbrough, bringing Stan Mills into the squad as a much more regular starter will be pivotal to seeing out the first few months before they can secure new signings.
Oxford have certainly made a few mistakes so far in their summer outgoings, with Ole Romeny and Nik Prelec both moving elsewhere, leaving them desperately short in terms of striker options, but they cannot allow themselves to do it once more with Mills.
