Oxford United shouldn't be rushing to seal Cardiff City reunion | OneFootball

The U’s should prioritise adding to other areas of the squad this summer rather than trying recruit Cardiff City’s Callum O’Dowda.

Oxford United will be putting preparations in place to attack the summer transfer window as they look to build on retaining their second tier status at the first time of asking.

Despite flirting with the relegation trapdoor throughout the season, experienced EFL manager Gary Rowett managed to bring some stability to the Kassam Stadium, guiding the club to a 17th-placed finish as they ended up four points clear of the bottom three.

Now with the summer transfer window in motion, the U’s will be aiming to be busy and build a squad that is capable of pushing towards the upper ends of the Championship table, as they seek to make positive strides season-upon-season.

During the early stages of the window, Oxford have been linked with a summer swoop to bring Callum O’Dowda back to the club after he suffered relegation to League One with Cardiff City last term.

Making 87 appearances across four League Two terms for his boyhood club, O’Dowda would surely be interested in a route back to Championship football, but Oxford have other areas of the squad to prioritise in order to have a successful second term in the Championship.

Oxford United are well stocked on the left side

Despite the addition of Callum O’Dowda looking appealing on paper, it would purely be a sentimental signing in an area that the club doesn’t really need to add to.

The U’s are more than well-equipped enough in the left-back position to start the new Championship season with. Greg Leigh enjoyed an excellent 2024-25 campaign by netting six times from 34 appearances, establishing himself as one of the most creative defenders in the second tier last term.

His versatility to play up and down the flank is a superb attribute to have, while 23-year-old Jack Currie is set to return to the club after a very influential spell at Leyton Orient, with his time at Brisbane Road only set to boost his credentials and bring him into contention for a regular starting role under Rowett.

Because of this, it would be baffling to see the club splurge important financial resources on another left-sided player when they already possess plenty of quality and depth in that specific department.

Instead, the club should be focusing on other sections of the squad that need attention, as sorting out those areas gives the club the best possible chance of steering well clear of the dreaded dropzone.

Oxford United should prioritise midfield and attacking additions

While Oxford United did a superb job to stay in the Championship last season, there’s certain positions in the squad that could be greatly improved in order to build on the original achievement.

A priority for the club will be to add talent into their midfield. While Cameron Brannagan and Will Vaulks developed a fantastic partnership, the likes of Idris El Mizouni and Louie Sibley are firmly out of favour, with the latter spending the second half of last season on loan at Rotherham United.

Meanwhile, a creative attacking presence in the final third would also be welcomed to offer competition to Ruben Rodrigues, as the club seeks enough ammunition at the top end of the pitch.

In addition, quality from wide areas will be essential. Siriki Dembele, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta were all unable to add much consistency across the season, while Tyler Goodrham’s preferred position will be through the centre despite being the club’s most impressive performer on the flank.

If Oxford can ensure that they improve those key areas of the pitch, then a move for Callum O’Dowda could be worth pursuing, but right now, it seems a waste of vital financial resources that will be important in their quest to establish themselves as Championship regulars.