THE signing of James Beadle demonstrates how Liam Manning is creating a new spine at Oxford United.

So far, Manning has brought in a new goalkeeper, centre half, deep-lying midfielder and a creative No 10.

Those key areas have helped to form a new core to the side. The obvious next step is a centre forward.

But where might Manning and the U’s recruitment team look for a new striker within the Premier League and EFL? We had a look at some of the options.

READ ALSO: Is League One really an easier ride compared to recent seasons?

PREMIER LEAGUE

Anyone coming to United from the top flight is more than likely going to be a young kid needing game time.

There are however a series of talented Premier League youngsters with goals in them, who could lead the line for the U’s in the 2023/24 campaign.

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Mason Burstow (Chelsea)

The 19-year-old, who turns 20 the day before United kick-off their Sky Bet League One season at Cambridge United, joined Chelsea from Charlton Athletic in January 2022.

He returned to The Valley for the remainder of the campaign, managing six goals in 23 appearances across all competitions in 2021/22.

U’s supporters may remember that he scored an impressive lobbed effort past Simon Eastwood when Chelsea Under-21s came from behind to win at the Kassam Stadium in the Papa John’s Trophy last season.

Daniel Jebbison (Sheffield United)

The Blades’ promotion back to the Premier League may limit the number of minutes 19-year-old Jebbison gets next season.

Like Burstow, he turns 20 in early August and also has a decent League One track record with which to build on.

Jebbison netted seven times in 20 games for Burton Albion during a loan spell with the Brewers during the 2021/22 campaign.

Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest)

Like Jebbison, Taylor has impressed during a loan spell with Burton.

The 19-year-old found the net five times in 20 matches for the Brewers last season.

The Belfast-born forward also has three caps for Northern Ireland.

Scott Twine (Burnley)

Arguably the acquisition of Twine would be the most eye-catching of these options.

While not strictly an out and out centre forward, the 23-year-old tends to play just off the striker – but certainly knows where the goal is.

Twine spent a solitary campaign with MK Dons, after joining from Swindon Town, and fired 20 goals in 45 games under Manning in the 2021/22 season.

The club finished third in League One, and it earned Twine a reportedly £4 million move to Burnley.

However, injury hampered the first half of last season and he ended the campaign with three goals in 14 games as the Clarets stormed to the Championship title.

If the Lancashire side feel Twine needs a loan move, that could well interest Manning and the recruitment team.

League One transfer tracker: All the deals in the third tier 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Kyle Joseph (Swansea City)

The forward endeared himself to the United fanbase with his all-action performances last season.

The 21-year-old played across the front line and bagged 10 goals in 41 games.

That total could well have been higher had Joseph not suffered a two-month spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Joseph was a regular pick under both Karl Robinson and Manning, and played a key role as the U’s preserved their League One status, scoring in the wins against Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers.

LEAGUE ONE

Ben House (Lincoln City)

The 23-year-old joined the Imps in January 2022 from Vanarama National League outfit Eastleigh, and has gone on to score 14 times in 46 games in all competitions.

He found the net on 12 occasions in League One last season.

Sam Nombe (Exeter City)

Like House, Nombe is another young forward with plenty of potential, while with a good goal return already in his career.

The 24-year-old has netted 23 goals since joining from MK Dons in July 2021. He scored 15 times in League One last season.

LEAGUE TWO

Dan Agyei (Crewe Alexandra)

A name already familiar to United fans having spent two and a half seasons at the club.

Agyei scored 11 goals in 93 appearances after arriving from Burnley, but has gone from strength to strength with Crewe.

The 26-year-old scored 16 goals in League Two last season and is a free agent this summer.

Kyle Wootton (Stockport County)

The 26-year-old has been a regular scorer in recent years, bagging 47 league goals for Notts County in the National League during a three-year spell.

Wootton joined Stockport last summer and went on to score 14 times in League Two last season.

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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.