YOU can always rely on transfer rumours to fill the long summer break between football seasons.

Unfortunately, some links tend to be less reliable than others, so we thought it would be useful to revive our list of the more reputable sources linking players with moves to and from Oxford United.

List will be updated as and when rumours emerge.

JACK STEVENS

U's head coach Karl Robinson has insisted the goalkeeper is staying put amid interest from Aston Villa.

Stevens is on the Premier League club's radar following an impressive breakthrough season in 2020/21.

Robinson suggested United turned down a bid for the 23-year-old, adding: "He's not going.

“There’s a price tag on our players and Jack appreciates that.

“It’s fantastic for him, but it’s also fantastic we said no.

“It’s not the only bid we’ve said no to."

Oxford Mail:

Stevens attracted serious interest from a different club at a higher level in January and agreed a new three-year contract with United the following month.

Villa need reinforcements in goal after Tom Heaton joined Manchester United and Fulham beat them to transfer target Paulo Gazzaniga.

ELLIS HARRISON

The Portsmouth forward was thought to be close to joining United in June, but The News later reported the departure was scuppered by Pompey's failure to bring in Jayden Stockley. 

The same newspaper is suggesting the U's have retained an interest, with Sky Bet League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday now linked with Harrison.

But United have signed the striker's ex-Pompey teammate Ryan Williams this summer along with Billy Bodin, Gavin Whyte and Nathan Holland, so they have plenty of attacking options already.

Harrison is one of Pompey's top earners, although he has entered the final year of his contract on the south coast.

The 27-year-old has scored 16 goals in 70 games since moving there in summer 2019, but is currently recovering from coronavirus.

Harrison appeared to commit to Pompey last month, telling The News: "I'm contracted to Portsmouth and have just come back from injury. My main aim is to get fit and nothing else.

"I've been looking at Portsmouth and looking at myself. I'm settled with my missus and the baby loves it down here.

"I've got no intention of going. Hopefully, I have a lot better of a season this time around."

He formed a prolific partnership with United striker Matty Taylor at his first club Bristol Rovers, helping The Gas climb from the Vanarama National League to League One between 2014 and 2016.

WILL BOYLE

Rob Atkinson's move to Bristol City put the U's in the market for a new centre back, with The Sun's Alan Nixon suggesting they were tracking Boyle.

United have already signed Jordan Thorniley on a season-long loan, but Robinson is still keen on bringing in a defender.

Boyle played 36 games and scored an impressive seven goals in 2020/21 as he helped the Gloucestershire club win the Sky Bet League Two title.

It was his fourth full season with Cheltenham and in that time he has made well over 150 appearances, scoring 22 times.

The 25-year-old is heading into the final season of his contract so Cheltenham may be tempted to cash in, rather than risk losing him for free next summer.

He played 90 minutes of the Gloucestershire club's opening-day draw at Crewe Alexandra.

MARK SYKES

Sykes was a target for Ipswich, according to Alan Nixon.

The midfielder, who turns 24 in August, has one year left on his contract after the U's triggered an option in his deal in April.

Oxford Mail:

Sykes played 42 times in 2020/21 without scoring, but found real consistency in the rest of his game towards the end of the campaign.

Ipswich were taken over by American owners earlier this year and boss Paul Cook has made several eye-catching signings this summer, although their interest in the United midfielder appears to have cooled.

Paul Digby was removed from this list on June 7 after signing a two-year contract with Cambridge United.

Ryan Williams was removed from this list on June 9, after joining United from Portsmouth on a two-year deal.

Josh Ruffels was removed from this list on June 10, after leaving United for Huddersfield Town.

Alex Cochrane was removed from this list on June 28, after joining Hearts on a season-long loan.

Jacob Bedeau was removed from this list on July 1, having moved to Burnley on a two-year deal.

Rob Atkinson was removed from this list on July 3, following his move to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.

Tom James was removed from this list on July 21, after signing for Leyton Orient.

Joe Tomlinson was removed from this list on July 29, after joining Peterborough United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Gavin Whyte was removed from this list on July 31, with United bringing him in on a season-long loan.

Jamie Robson was removed from this list on August 31, after his move to Lincoln City.

Jason Kerr was removed from this list on August 31, having joined Wigan Athletic.