Oxford United linked with move for Premier League midfielder

OXFORD United have been linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Marc Leonard.

The 22-year-old came up against the U’s after spending this season on loan at Northampton Town.

He started the EFL Trophy clash in September, when Mark Harris scored a brace in a 3-1 win for United, and then caught the eye when the Cobblers won late on in the first league meeting of the campaign between the teams, at Sixfields in December.

Leonard’s delightful cross from deep was met by Will Hondermarck when the sides shared a 2-2 draw at the Kassam Stadium in February.

READ ALSO: Where are the key areas for U’s to focus in summer transfer window?

Scottish national newspaper the Daily Record claims the U’s are prepared to meet Brighton’s six-figure asking price for Leonard, who was born in Glasgow and has represented Scotland’s Under-21s.

There is also reported interest from other Sky Bet Championship sides, plus teams in League One.

Polish side Legia Warsaw and Austrian outfit Sturm Graz have also been credited with interest in Leonard.

The midfielder joined Brighton as a 16-year-old from Hearts in 2018, and made his first team debut in August 2021, starting in a 2-0 win against Cardiff City in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

He has also represented the Seagulls in the EFL Trophy, and again in the Carabao Cup, when Brighton beat Swansea City 2-0 in the third round during the 2021/22 campaign.

Leonard has spent the last two seasons on loan with the Cobblers, helping them to promotion last season, before starting every single league game this campaign.

In total, he scored six times in 97 appearances for Northampton. Leonard is under contract at Brighton until June 2025, with the club holding an option for a further year.