Oxford United boss Karl Robinson is desperate to see Jack Stevens stay put despite Middlesbrough’s interest in the League One goalkeeper, speaking to the Oxford Mail.
With the on-loan Marcus Bettinelli due to return to Fulham at the end of this season, Boro have little choice but to enter the market for a new number one.
And, after Stevens exploded on to the scene in the division below, The Sun reports one of the finest shot-stoppers in the lower leagues has emerged as a summer target for Neil Warnock’s side.
Oxford certainly have a history when it comes to selling star players, with Rob Dickie, Tariq Fosu, Shandon Baptiste and Gavin Whyte all joining Championship clubs since summer 2019.
The ambitious Robinson, however, is determined to buck that trend as the U’s look to keep a talented squad of players together at the Kassam Stadium.
“The likes of Jack (Stevens), Cameron (Brannagan) and Rob Atkinson have to stay here next year,” says the former MK Dons boss.
“If you look at the top teams, there’s no turnover of players, they’ve only got better. That’s a big learning curve for us for next season.
“Unless the transfer fee becomes something we have no control over, we’ve got to be really brave in keeping all these players.”
Middlesbrough have also been linked with Preston North End targetman Ched Evans, a centre-forward emerging as a top priority as Britt Assombalonga enters the final few weeks of his contract.
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