Oxford United have held ‘discussions’ with striker Nik Prelec this summer about a possible permanent transfer. say their boss Matt Bloomfield.
Oxford United have held talks over a possible full-time move for the forward at the end of the season. OUFC landed him on loan from Cagliari last summer to strengthen their attacking ranks under ex-manager Gary Rowett.
Prelec, 24, has since made 19 appearances for the U’s in all competitions this season, including 18 in the Championshipand he scored one goal and one assist. His contract with his parent club expires in 2027, which means that, as things stand, he will become a free agent next year.
In this latest update on his long-term future at the Kassam Stadium, his manager Bloomfield has, according to a report from the Bicester Advertiser: “I know there have been discussions behind the scenes about the possibility of making that happen. Whether that has actually been activated or not, I’m not too sure, but I know there have been discussions.
“I think we were very pleased with what he was doing before I was here. We didn’t have him available yet, so we’ll see how that develops.”
Oxford United hold permanent Nik Prelec talks
Championship news
Oxford United signed Prelec last year to strengthen their options at the top end of the pitch. He ensures that OUFC has more competition and depth at the top.
The ex-Slovenian youth international has struggled to find his shooting boots in England. Nevertheless, he is still relatively young and has potential to improve in the future.
Prelec is competing with Will Lankshear, Mark Harris and Ole Romeny, among others, for a place in Bloomfield’s starting eleven. Their top scorer is Lankshear at six, followed by Cameron Brannagan and Przemyslaw Placheta at four and three respectively.
Prelec started his career with Sampdoria in Italy and rose through their academy before Cagliari came calling later in 2023. Since then, the Italian team has loaned him out to WSG Tirol and Austria Wien to gain some experience, as well as to Oxford United.
Nik Prelec’s Oxford United stats this season
What about Oxford United and Nik Prelec now?
Oxford United are embroiled in a relegation battle in the second tier. It would be a surprise if Prelec join them permanently if they slip into League One.
The U’s are in the drop zone with Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City. The latter have recently turned to their former head coach Gary Rowett as manager.
Rowett was removed from his position at the Kassam Stadium earlier in this campaign. Ex-Colchester United, Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town man Bloomfield was then picked as his replacement.
Oxford United are six points from safety behind West Brom in 21st. They still have fourteen games to play, but they would like to stay upright.
Bloomfield’s men lost 1-0 at home to Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Cup last time out and are now winless in their last five games in all competitions. They are back in action this weekend against high-flying Middlesbrough as they look to return to winning ways.
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