Oxford United bid for defender after admitting defeat in Stuart Findlay pursuit

The highly-rated 23-year-old from Kilmarnock emerged as a target last week, when a fee in the region of £500,000 was mentioned.

It is understood that asking price has moved even higher, forcing the U’s to turn their attention elsewhere.

Boss Karl Robinson said: “We’ve put a bid in for another centre back.

“The Findlay one is out of our reach in some ways, so we withdraw from that.

“We were willing to put a very substantial bid in, but we hear it’s gone above and beyond that.

“I don’t think anyone in League One could afford Findlay.”

At the weekend, the United head coach spoke about a ‘big week’ in their summer recruitment drive, which has so far struggled to take off.

On top of the new bid for Curtis Nelson’s replacement, Robinson said approaches have been made to sign a winger on a permanent deal and a striker on loan.

It is thought Sheffield United’s Ched Evans remains a possibility fill the vacancy up front, while the trio of bids are in addition to hopes they can complete a loan move for Chris Cadden.

Robinson is well aware of the clamour from supporters to get deals finalised, but while big targets remain in the market, he is prepared to sit tight.

He said: “I’m not going to get too wrapped up in the here and now, because the long-term objective is to get these players over the line.

“If that means I have to be patient and wait, I’m willing to do that. I don’t want to, but if that’s the case and they’re the players we want...”

United have liked the look of trialists Elliott Frear and Jon Guthrie, but both have been told they will not be offered a deal at this stage, although Frear will continue to train with the squad.

Elsewhere, the club could be in line for a six-figure injection after Callum O’Dowda was linked with a move to Fulham.

The £1.6million move which took the winger from United to Bristol City in 2016 included a sell-on clause which is believed to be ten per cent of the profit.