West Brom backed to strike Oxford United transfer deal | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit has named one player the club should sign before the 1 September deadline

West Brom will be targeting an improvement on their 21st place finish in the Championship over the next 12 months.

James Morrison oversaw the Baggies’ survival last season, with the team coming just four points clear of the relegation zone.

The former midfielder took charge of the first team on an initial interim basis before being confirmed as the new permanent head coach.

The Championship side have already made a number of additions in the transfer market this summer as they look to bolster their competitiveness.

But Albion still have until 1 September to complete any remaining deals, as they look to strengthen the squad for the year ahead.

West Brom have already signed the likes of Felix Horn Myhre, Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, among others.

West Brom urged to raid Oxford United

Action Images

When asked which one player he’d sign that hasn’t been linked with a move to the club, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess named Oxford United forward Stanley Mills.

He believes the winger could be an adequate replacement for Tom Fellows, as he has the potential to really explode if he can scale his game to play at a team fighting further up the Championship table.

“I think with Albion being on the lookout for wingers this summer, one option who Albion are yet to be linked with, but has been linked with other Championship club would be Stanley Mills from Oxford United,” Burgess told Football League World.

“I think that he’s a good outlet on the right-wing, which Albion has been missing since we sold Tom Fellows last season.

“And he seems like the type of player where Championship clubs will be trying to queue up before that sort of explosion where he might get to the next level.

“Last season he got a couple of goals and assists for Oxford in a struggling team.

“Which I think could translate well into a team who are around mid-table perhaps, which the likes of Preston, other teams who will be in and around the area, have been linked with.

“But I think if Albion are able to make a move, particularly with Oxford’s financial situation and their transfer ban, I think that it would be a good move for us.”

Stanley Mills’ Oxford career

Mills came through the ranks of the Everton academy system, but was unable to break into their first team plans.

This led to his move to Oxford on an initial loan basis in 2023 before he signed permanently in January 2025.

During his time with the U’s so far, he’s contributed five goals and eight assists, including three goals and four assists in the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

However, the club’s relegation to League One has led to speculation surrounding his future at the Kassam Stadium.

The 22-year-old has been linked with Preston North End, but a move has yet to materialise at this stage.

Oxford are currently under a transfer embargo, with Aaron Ramsey in charge of the first team squad.

It remains to be seen whether the winger will still be with the League One side by the time the market shuts on 1 September.

West Brom will begin their league campaign on 15 August with a trip to face Norwich City, but will surely want to strengthen Morrison’s team before the transfer deadline.

Mills put pen to paper on a long-term contract when he moved to the Kassam Stadium on a permanent basis in January 2025.

Action Images

Stanley Mills signing could make a lot of sense for West Brom

Mills performed well in a struggling Oxford United side last season, so it’s surprising more clubs haven’t been linked with his signature since their relegation.

The forward is still only 22 and has room to really grow and develop into a top Championship talent.

He is the kind of player that could work quite well at West Brom under Morrison, and should be available at a relatively reasonable cost.

The Baggies should look to take advantage of Oxford’s financial situation and make an attempt to sign Mills before the market shuts, or he moves to a rival side.