Welcome back Oxford United fans. We had a feeling we’d see you here again. This time it regards Glasgow giants Celtic and a certain man called Atkinson.
Ten months ago, Queens Park Rangers completed the bargain signing of a defender who had blossomed into one of the EFL’s best under Karl Robinson at the Kassam Stadium.
Rob Dickie, at the time, had just one year left on his contract and Oxford had little choice but to cash in on their influential captain.
At least the U’s are in a position of relative strength this time round as another highly rated centre-half emerges on the radar of both Celtic and Bristol City.
22-year-old Rob Atkinson is under contract until 2023.
Celtic and Bristol City stalk Oxford man Atkinson
A £1.6 million price tag is unlikely to put off the Glasgow giants especially if, as expected, Kristoffer Ajer leaves Parkhead before August (The Sun, 20 June, page 66).
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But there’s a belief among the Oxford faithful that the League One play-off finalists should stand firm and demand a far larger fee for a 6ft 4in defender who has made a big impression since joining the club from non-league Eastleigh in 2020.
Interestingly, Atkinson and Ajer share a few things in common.
Both are in their early 20s, both are well over 6ft and both are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet, at their best when turning defence into attack with a burst of acceleration or a driving, pinpoint pass.
There is work to be done, however, if one is to replace the other at Celtic.
Here’s what some Oxford United fans on Twitter had to say about the Atkinson interest:
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