Oxford United eyeing deal for Ipswich Town player but face potential Derby County competition | OneFootball

Tractor Boys midfielder Idris El Mizouni looks set for a move to the Football League this summer

Oxford United are leading the race to sign Idris El Mizouni from Ipswich Town this summer, while Derby County could also make a move for the midfielder.

That's according to a report from TWTD, who say that the 23-year-old looks set to leave Portman Road during the current transfer window.

El Mizouni initially came through the youth ranks at Ipswich, but has struggled to really establish himself in the first-team since making his debut back in March 2019.

He has instead has several loan spells elsewhere. That includes spending the last two years at Leyton Orient, helping them win promotion from League Two during the 2022/23 campaign.

Now, it looks as though the one-time Tunisian international could be on the move again this summer.

Oxford United and Derby County linked with Ipswich Town midfielder Idris El Mizouni

Earlier this summer, Ipswich announced they had triggered a 12-month option in El Mizouni's contract, securing his future at the club until the end of next season.

That does mean this transfer window could be their last chance to cash in on him, which they may well be set to do.

As per this latest update, it is likely that El Mizouni will leave Ipswich this summer, with interest from the Football League.

Leyton Orient are apparently keen to bring the midfielder back to Brisbane Road this summer, but the League One side are expected to be priced out of a deal.

Instead, it is claimed that Oxford are currently front-runners to do a deal for the signing of El Mizouni, after seeing interest in the midfielder knocked back last summer.

It is also stated that Derby are also likely to renew their interest in the 23-year-old from last season.

Both of those two clubs are of course preparing for life back in the Championship after winning promotion from League One during the 2023/24 campaign.

Oxford have already made four signings this summer, with goalkeepers Jamie Cumming and Jacob Knightbridge, right-back Peter Kioso and midfielder Will Vaulks all joining permanently.

By contrast, Derby are still waiting to announce their first new addition of the window as things stand.

For their part, Ipswich, who are preparing for a return to the Premier League after promotion from the Championship last season, are said to want around £350,000 for the sale of El Mizouni.

Idris El Mizouni could be a good signing for Oxford United or Derby County

It does look as though the addition of El Mizouni could be a useful one for either Oxford or Derby to make this summer.

Both clubs are somewhat short on central midfield options, following departures they have already seen since the end of the campaign.

As a result, the Ipswich man could offer some useful depth in the centre of the park for one of these sides.

Indeed, having shown he can already do a job at both League Two and League One level with his recent loan spells, it could be argued he is now ready to step up to the Championship as well.

It will be interesting to see how Ipswich's valuation impacts the battle for the services of El Mizouni between the likes of Derby and Oxford, which could be telling for the prospects in the market.