Oxford United winger Owen Dale lined up for League One transfer | OneFootball

Exeter City are interested in signing Oxford United winger Owen Dale before the end of this summer.

After a mixed start to the 2025/26 campaign, in both the league and cup, Exeter City are seeking reinforcements in the closing weeks of the summer transfer window and the Grecians have been linked with a move for Oxford United winger Owen Dale.

Exeter, under the management of former Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell, have begun their campaign with three defeats and one emphatic victory across all competitions so far this season.

On the opening day, they suffered a 1-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers before then managing to hammer one of the pre-season promotion favourites Blackpool by four goals to one at St James Park, but have since succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to League Two side Cheltenham Town in the first round of the EFL Cup, before then suffering a 2-1 loss at home to Mansfield Town.

Exeter have had a reasonably busy window and that will be expected to only get even busier in the final few weeks, and they have now been linked with a new winger.

Exeter line up move for Oxford United forward Owen Dale

According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Exeter City are interested in signing former Portsmouth winger Owen Dale, now of Oxford United.

It has been reported by Nixon that the Grecians are trying to sign the attacker, with manager Caldwell very keen on the player.

Nixon states that Oxford are allowing Dale to leave before the close of the window, with the 26-year-old on what has been described as a ‘lengthy and lucrative contract’.

Dale came through the famed academy of Crewe Alexandra to kick off his professional career before departing Gresty Road for Blackpool on loan in 2021.

That deal became permanent in 2022 and he shortly moved on to Portsmouth, before returning to the Seasiders and then joining Oxford United in 2024. He spent the second-half of last season on loan at Wigan Athletic after being out of favour at the Kassam Stadium, and he played 18 times for the Latics, scoring just one goal.

Exeter City’s summer business so far as they target Owen Dale transfer

Exeter’s first piece of business was to conclude a permanent deal for Johnly Yefko, who had spent last season on loan from Scottish giants Rangers.

They have since added Luca Woodhouse and Jack Bycroft on free transfers from Wycombe Wanderers and Swindon Town, respectively. Jake Doyle-Hayes has also joined for an undisclosed fee from Sligo Rovers, with Jayden Wareham moving from Reading for an undisclosed fee too.

As well as that, Exeter have also brought in a few loanees, too, with Ryan Rydel, Ethan Brierley and Sil Swinkels arriving on temporary deals from Stockport County, Brentford and Aston Villa, respectively.

Many have tipped Exeter up for relegation this season, with key departures in recent times suggesting they might be regressing to League Two this year, following the sale of Millenic Alli in January, which came after a summer exodus that saw Will Aimson, Alex Hartridge, James Scott, Zak Jules and Tom Carroll all leave.

Now, as Caldwell again seeks to freshen up his squad ahead of the rest of the campaign, City appear to be keen on bringing up options for the wide positions, such as Dale, who would add plenty of League One experience if he arrived at St. James' Park.