Oxford United: Ex-Everton loanee attracting Championship interest | OneFootball

Everton starlet Stanley Mills is attracting interest from a number of Championship sides ahead of the January window

Everton youngster Stanley Mills is attracting Championship loan interest ahead of the January transfer market.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the 21-year-old has a number of clubs as high up as the second division monitoring his injury recovery with a view to a possible winter move.

Mills is currently on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury at the start of the calendar year.

The youngster earned an exciting reputation as an upcoming talent prior to being put out of action for over 10 months.

The midfielder spent last season on loan at Oxford United, where he made 21 league appearances before having his campaign cut short prematurely in January.

Stanley Mills transfer interest

Clubs in the Championship are now keeping tabs on Mills’ recovery to full fitness, with a number of clubs weighing up a potential loan move.

Oxford United could be one of those interested sides given how well he performed with the U’s in the previous campaign.

It has been reported that Mills has impressed medics with his recovery, which will lead to optimism that he can get up to full match fitness quickly now that he is back on the grass.

It has been claimed that the level of his performances for Des Buckingham’s side last year raised his profile within the Football League, attracting interest ahead of the January market opening in 2025.

It is unlikely that Mills will be able to break into Sean Dyche’s first team squad straight away after coming back from injury, meaning another loan move may be a sensible next step in his career.

The youngster’s last appearance came in the third round of last year’s FA Cup, where he was stretchered off in Oxford United’s defeat to Coventry City.

He will have to wait until 1 January before completing any loan move, meaning it could be 12 months in between first team appearances for the 21-year-old.

Stanley Mills’ impact at Oxford United

Mills made 21 appearances in League One last season, including 14 starts, before returning to Everton in January to begin his rehabilitation process.

The midfielder contributed one goal and four assists, with the team in promotion contention prior to his departure.

Buckingham’s side succeeded in their pursuit of promotion, earning a fifth place finish in the table before beating Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final.

However, it remains to be seen whether Oxford United would be interested in bringing him back to the club for the second half of this campaign.

Championship move for Stanley Mills would be a positive next step

Mills’ development has suffered a big setback by not being able to play for almost a full year.

However, he showed a lot of promise during his spell at the Kassam Stadium last season, and if he can pick up where he left off then a move to the Championship could be a great next step in his career.

Returning to Oxford United could be a smart move, as returning to familiar surroundings could be a good way to get him back up to speed more quickly.

But his first focus should be on returning to full fitness with Everton and best preparing himself for a January move anywhere, so that he can hit the ground running no matter where he ends up next.