Oxford United have entered the battle to sign Bolton Wanderers man Aaron Morley as his future in Lancashire remains unclear.
Reports earlier in the month from the Bucks Free Press had stated that both Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town were interested in the midfielder, but would have to muster up a £500,000 fee for his services.
Bloomfield Enters Race
According to Football League World, the League One pair have been joined by Oxford United in the battle for Morley, with new manager Matt Bloomfield having already signed players from League One.
He mounted a return for one of his former players in Millenic Alli, who was loaned out to the Kassam Stadium from Luton Town amid his struggles for game time under new Hatters boss Jack Wilshere.
The U’s also secured a standout from League One last season, poaching Jamie Donley on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, with the former Leyton Orient man a priority signing for Bolton.
The report from Football League World states that Oxford are expected to mount a move ‘in the latter stages of the window’ to sign Morley, who played under the new U’s boss at Wycombe Wanderers as they pushed for promotion before Bloomfield was poached by Championship strugglers Luton in January of last year.
The Chairboys have already lost out on a key midfield target this window, having been beaten to Ipswich Town‘s Cameron Humphreys, who instead headed to League One rivals Huddersfield Town.
Is Morley Still In The Plans?
Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has been open to giving Aaron Morley a chance to salvage his career at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, previously stating that he was open to giving him more chances.
While he has indeed been given a shot over January with three appearances, most of his game time came in the EFL Trophy match against Port Vale, before being named as an unused substitute in their derby win over Wigan Athletic.
With no new midfielder arriving at Wanderers just yet, it is unlikely that the 25-year-old will leave right now, but should a new face come in, it is very likely that he will leave.
Having worked so well with Matt Bloomfield last season as part of Wycombe Wanderers’ automatic promotion push, a reunification at Oxford United will surely be a very enticing prospect, also giving him the chance to test himself in the Championship.
While a return to Adams Park is the best guarantee of game time with their hunt for a midfielder to support Fred Onyedinma, a potential move upwards to the second tier will provide a lot of food for thought.