IT can be difficult to get deals done in the January transfer window – but that does not stop the rumours flying around.

Several players have been linked with moves to and from Oxford United so it can be difficult to keep track.

To help with that, we have revived our list of the rumours involving the U’s.

New links will be flagged, as will updates to existing stories.

DANNY HYLTON

United supporters are very familiar with the striker, who was a fans’ favourite during his two-year spell at the Kassam Stadium from 2014 to 2016.

Now Football League World reports the U’s could try to secure a transfer deadline day deal for Hylton as they seek to bolster their forward options.

The Oxford Mail understands he is one of several strikers United have looked at, with the 32-year-old struggling for minutes at Sky Bet Championship club Luton Town.

Oxford Mail:

Danny Hylton Picture: David Fleming

Hylton has made just six appearances for the Hatters this season, scoring once, and is out of contract this summer.

The striker joined Luton from United, where he scored 30 goals in 101 games and helped gain promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2015/16.

COLE STOCKTON 

Football Insider claims Championship clubs Preston North End and Barnsley are interested in the Morecambe goal machine, along with the U’s and Rotherham United in League One.

But rumours that United have submitted a bid for Stockton are understood to be wide of the mark.

The U's want a striker and the 27-year-old has been one of Sky Bet League One’s top performers this term, so it was only a matter of time before the two were linked.

Stockton has scored 20 times in 31 appearances for the Shrimps in 2021/22, including a stunning volley in his side’s 3-1 defeat at the Kassam Stadium in October.

His displays have caught the eye higher up the food chain and the Lancashire side can hold out for a decent fee, with 18 months left on the forward's contract.

STUART FINDLAY

At the start of January, Football Insider reported that United are one of nine clubs across the Championship, League One and the Scottish Premiership interested in the 26-year-old.

Findlay, who has eight caps for his country, moved to MLS side Philadelphia Union last February but has struggled for match-time.

This is not the first time United have been linked with him it is understood they have looked into a deal this month.

A late offer could be on the cards following Thorniley's return to Blackpool, however whether anything can be agreed remains to be seen. 

Findlay was a transfer target in summer 2019, but the U’s stepped away from the deal when a reported asking price of £500,000 was raised even higher.

JORDAN SHIPLEY

United, Bolton Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town were reportedly interested in a loan deal for the Coventry City man earlier in the window, when he was yet to play a Championship match this season.

But Shipley has started his side's last three games, albeit two of those as an emergency wing-back, and scored against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

The midfielder told Coventry Live afterwards: “The only thing I have said so far is I just want to play football, and if I am going to play here then I am happy to stay and play."

Shipley is out of contract this summer, although the Sky Blues – who are tenth in the second tier – have an option to extend his deal by a year.

Karl Robinson was tight-lipped when asked about the rumour, telling us: “He’s a good player, but we’re not going to speculate on other players in this window."

CAMERON BRANNAGAN

Blackpool's interest in the midfielder appeared to have cooled, but they made two offers in the final hours of the window - one thought to be in the region of £800,000 followed by another that was understood to be £1m.

United rejected both as they held on to their influential No 8.

The Seasiders made four bids for Brannagan this month, having targeted him last summer.

After news of this month’s first approach emerged, different sources quoted a range of offers from £300,000 upwards - but the Oxford Mail understands the first offer was north of £500,000.

This was well short of the seven-figure buyout clause in Brannagan’s contract, agreed when he signed a three-year deal in summer 2020.

The Championship outfit then offered Jordan Thorniley, on a season-long loan at United, in a player plus cash deal.

But the U's refused to budge, with the two clubs' valuations of the centre back said to be different.

Thorniley has since been recalled by Blackpool, although this is said to be a result of the Seasiders' depleted defensive ranks rather than the Brannagan chase.

JAMES NORWOOD

The U’s were one of several League One clubs linked with the Ipswich Town striker at the start of December.

Norwood had been out of favour at Portman Road and had made just five appearances all season, with only two of those in the league.

U's head coach Karl Robinson would not confirm or deny the Norwood rumours directly, but told us: “That is the calibre. If you’re going to do anything in January, it cannot be to fill a gap, it’s to make this team stronger."

The East Anglian Daily Times has since reported that United were one of seven sides, six of them in League One, to enquire about the 31-year-old.

But the chance of a move seems to have been scuppered by Ipswich’s decision to sack Paul Cook in December.

Since then, Norwood has scored four goals in seven matches under new boss Kieran McKenna and the Tractor Boys manager clearly rates the forward.

MARK SYKES

The in-form midfielder’s future has already been up for discussion in January, having entered the final six months of his contract.

United reportedly rejected a deadline day bid from Wigan Athletic for Sykes, who was linked with Huddersfield Town earlier in the window.

Oxford Mail:

Mark Sykes Picture: David Fleming

Sykes has been one of United’s top performers this season, securing a regular place in the starting XI and scoring eight goals.

But if the U’s cannot agree a new deal he would be free to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Karl Robinson said earlier in January: “We believe people like him need to be part of the football club moving forward. We want Mark Sykes to stay here for a long time.”

DARRAGH BURNS

United were first linked with the 19-year-old winger since the end of last year.

According to the Irish Independent, the U’s are one of several English clubs tracking St Patrick’s Athletic star Burns.

United have recent history with the League of Ireland Premier Division side, signing Luke McNally from St Pat’s for an undisclosed fee this time last year.

Like the centre back, Burns starred for the Dublin club’s Under 19s before graduating to the first team, making his debut in 2020.

The teenager has played for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at age-group level, but is currently switching allegiance to the latter.

RYAN WILLIAMS

The Australian winger was linked with a move closer to home back in November.

Reports Down Under suggested Williams was a target for New Zealand-based side Wellington Phoenix, who he had recently started following on Instagram.

The capital club play in Australia’s A-League, a competition the 28-year-old has never appeared in having moved to England as a teenager.

Oxford Mail:

Ryan Williams Picture: David Fleming

Williams played a straight bat when asked about the rumours, explaining: “It’s just standard. Being an Aussie, I get interest from Australia all the time, so it’s part and parcel.

“Every window is similar, sometimes it comes out and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Wellington have since signed another winger, Mexican Gael Sandoval, while Williams started three U’s games in a row for the first time since August.

Marcus Browne was removed from this list on January 31 after signing for Oxford United on a permanent deal.

Oisin Smyth was removed from this list on January 31 after signing for Oxford United on a permanent deal.

Matty Longstaff was removed from this list on January 31 after joining Mansfield Town on loan.