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Oxford United have been told to pursue a move for the 26-year-old

Oxford United are set for their first full season under Gary Rowett’s leadership after retaining their Championship status last term.

As the U’s look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, they have recently been linked with a move for Reading midfielder Harvey Knibbs.

According to RDG Today, Oxford are one of a whole host of Championship clubs monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation, alongside Portsmouth and Sheffield United.

Knibbs scored 14 goals in League One last term and finished as the Royals’ top scorer, whilst also adding a further two goals in the EFL Trophy. This saw him follow up on his previous debut 23/24 season with the club in very strong fashion, having netted 11 times alongside providing six assists the year prior.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder, Lee Hendrie, believes that the midfielder would be a massive coup for Oxford United this summer.

Lee Hendrie backs Oxford United to make Harvey Knibbs deal

“Harvey Knibbs is 26 years of age,” Hendrie started. “He can play wide, can play in the main area, central midfield and score goals.

“You look at his goal turnover and assists from last season and the year before that since coming from Cambridge United, you do feel that he's got that quality and that edge that can maybe take that step up to the Championship for sure.

“When you've got goals from midfield and obvious creative ability, why shouldn't he be linked with a move to the Championship? I think it would be a really good signing for Oxford.

“I'm sure Gary Rowett would have looked at him and thought, what can he bring to the side? I think this would be a real good move for both parties. I really do.

“I'm sure Reading won’t want to get rid of him, but I think this would be a real good signing for Oxford.”

Oxford United could struggle to strike Harvey Knibbs agreement

There is no doubt that Knibbs has earned a move to the Championship after two standout years in League One.

Scoring 32 goals and registering 12 assists in just 100 appearances has attracted the attention of multiple second-tier outfits and would be a string addition for Oxford.

That said, with sides such as Sheffield United in the mix for Knibbs, it could be hard for Rowett and Co. to convince the midfielder to join them.

The Blades will likely be in the mix for promotion next term, which will be a much more appealing prospect for Knibbs when compared to Oxford’s ambitions of avoiding a relegation scrap, especially when it would see him link up with former boss Ruben Selles.

That said, the U’s may be able to fall back on their ability to offer the 26-year-old regular playing time, which is something Sheffield United may not.