OXFORD United are eyeing a move for England Under-20 goalkeeper James Beadle, according to reports.
Both the U’s and Bolton Wanderers have been linked with the Brighton & Hove Albion 18-year-old, reports The Sun.
The Oxford Mail understands that United are in the race for the young shotstopper and interested in a deal.
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Highly regarded at the Amex Stadium, any move would almost certainly be on a loan basis.
Beadle, who played for England at this year’s Under-20 World Cup, impressed on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Crewe Alexandra during the 2022/23 campaign, playing nine times after joining in January.
He kept a clean sheet on his debut away to Walsall, keeping a further two shutouts in wins against Doncaster Rovers and Barrow.
An ankle injury sustained on Easter Monday brought an end to his temporary spell, while Crewe boss Lee Bell told the club website in April that he was keen to bring Beadle back next season.
He said: “We will do everything possible to get him here next season, but he will definitely have suitors from higher up.
“We’ve already had conversations with Brighton, and I’ve explained what we can offer James. They have plans for how they’d like him to progress, so we will have to see.”
The U’s are already well-stocked in the goalkeeping department, with Simon Eastwood, Ed McGinty and the returning Jack Stevens at Liam Manning’s disposal.
A move for Beadle would therefore mean it’s likely one of the current trio would be moved on, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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