Oxford United's Derby County double blow could have relegation impact: View | OneFootball

The Rams lost Louie Sibley to Oxford last week, with it looking likely that they'll also beat them to to the signing of Idris El Mizouni from Ipswich.

Oxford United captured the signature of Louie Sibley last week, following the end of his contract at Derby County, however, the midfielder's signature is not the only one that the Rams look to have been beaten to by the U's.

Sibley joined Oxford following 14 years at Pride Park, with Derby and the player failing to agree to terms on a new deal.

The 22-year-old played 173 times for the Rams in all competitions, making his debut in 2019, before scoring a wonderstrike on his first start for his boyhood club against Blackburn Rovers in March 2020.

Yet, it is with Oxford who he will play Championship football with for the 2024/25 season following their promotion from League One through the play-offs. Des Buckingham's side beat Bolton Wanderers2-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium, meaning that they will play in the second tier for the first time since 1999.

The now ex-Ram has signed a long-term deal with his new club, and will be hoping to force his way into an already stacked midfield at the Kassam Stadium, with the likes of Cameron Brannagan, Ruben Rodrigues and Will Vaulks all vying for a place in Buckingham's starting 11 next season.

Oxford United set to deal Derby County further blow with Idris El Mizouni deal

Sibley is not the only midfielder on his way to Oxford this summer, with Idris El Mizouni from Ipswich Town also now likely to join the club in the coming days.

Ironically, it is Derby who will suffer from this transfer as well, with Paul Warne also interested in the services of El Mizouni from the Tractor Boys.

According to TWTD, the U's will beat both the Rams and Barnsley to the permanent signing of the Tunisian international, after his contract at Ipswich was extended for another year - seemingly to bring in a transfer fee.

Oxford are strengthening well ahead of the new Championship campaign, and will be in direct competition with the Rams to survive in the division after what has been a decade and a half of resurgence for the club after spending five years in non-league in the late 2000's.

El Mizouni has been on loan at three different clubs in the last four years, and a permanent move to Oxford will allow him to settle and play consistent football, with the 23-year-old making just 26 appearances for Ipswich since joining ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Derby County must move on from Louie Sibley & Idris El Mizouni quickly to not get left behind

Although Warne and the rest of the club will be disappointed at the loss of Sibley, and the likelihood of El Mizouni snubbing them, they have to push on with their summer and win the signature of other targets without making their losses hit too hard.

The Rams have signed well so far; Ben Osborn is a fantastic acquisition and provides invaluable experience and versatility to Derby's left flank. Jerry Yates is a proven goalscorer at Championship level, and despite a poor season for Swansea City, he will score goals again and if he gets a good run of games, he could be a superb loan.

El Mizouni's transfer to Oxford will not be felt negatively if Derby do sign Ebou Adams from Cardiff City. The two are similar players, however, the pure power that Adams holds makes him a priority in this window.

He has made a name for himself already at the club, and a permanent deal will mean the Rams can quickly forget about the Ipswich midfielder.

There will be concern that the Rams are losing players to direct rivals, and this could push the team closer to the relegation spots next season, but with Sibley not being able to play in his standard position due to a lack of performance when playing there and El Mizouni unproven in the second tier, it may not be all doom and gloom.