OXFORD United will miss out on a cash boost when former midfielder Joe Rothwell moves clubs this summer.
The 27-year-old will leave Blackburn Rovers when his contract expires next week, with AFC Bournemouth reportedly in pole position to sign him.
The Cherries submitted multiple bids for Rothwell in January but could now get their man for free ahead of their first season back in the Premier League.
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It is a blow to United, who included a sell-on clause in the deal that took the ex-Manchester United player to Ewood Park in June 2018.
The exact percentage is unknown, but with Bournemouth reportedly offering as much as £3.5million for Rothwell in January the U’s would have gained a sizeable cash injection.
Instead, the midfielder saw out the final few months of his contract at Ewood Park and departs as a free agent.
Rothwell joined the U’s in summer 2016 following the club’s promotion to Sky Bet League One.
He made 84 appearances in two seasons, scoring eight goals, before moving to Blackburn for an undisclosed fee in June 2018.
Rothwell’s last United game was at Ewood Park on the final day of the 2017/18 campaign as the hosts celebrated promotion back to the Championship.
He went on to play 161 matches across four seasons for Blackburn, finding the net 11 times.
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