Exclusive: Oxford Utd join Luton Town, Wycombe in Bolton Wanderers transfer race

Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers are both keen to bolster their squads before the January transfer window closes and have set their sights on a move for League One rivals Bolton Wanderers.

However, they are no longer alone in the pursuit, with Matt Bloomfield’s Oxford United now entering the fray as they look to preserve their Championship status for another season.

The campaign began with very different expectations for Luton and Wycombe. Luton, now managed by Bloomfield following back-to-back relegations, are adjusting to life in League One, while Wycombe have also undergone changes in the dugout.

With Jack Wilshere and Michael Duff now at the helm respectively, both clubs are targeting a push for the third-tier play-offs, ambitions that could be strengthened by shrewd business in the final weeks of the window.

Oxford, meanwhile, are locked in a relegation battle in the Championship and currently sit 23rd in the table.

Although Bloomfield’s side are yet to suffer defeat in his opening two matches, they remain five points adrift of Portsmouth in 21st, making survival a daunting challenge at the Kassam Stadium.

Despite this, the U’s have been active in the market, adding Jamie McDonnell, Brentford duo Yunus Emre Konak and Myles Peart-Harris, as well as Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jamie Donley, whose arrival was first revealed exclusively by Football League World.

As the transfer window progresses, Football League World has learned that Oxford are now targeting another reinforcement, though Bloomfield may have to fend off interest from two of his former clubs to secure the deal.

Football League World understands that Bolton Wanderers midfielder Aaron Morley is attracting renewed attention, with Oxford joining Luton and Wycombe in the race for his signature.

Sources have exclusively revealed that the Championship strugglers are weighing up a move for the 25-year-old central midfielder.

Morley enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Wycombe during the first half of the 2024/25 season before being recalled by Bolton to support Steven Schumacher’s ultimately unsuccessful play-off push.

Earlier this month, Bucks Free Press reported that Wycombe were interested in bringing him back to Adams Park, while Luton are believed to have had bids turned down last summer.

Now, however, Oxford are emerging as serious contenders and could intensify their pursuit in the latter stages of the window. Morley is reportedly available for around £500,000 after slipping down the pecking order at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The midfielder’s time at Bolton has been something of a rollercoaster.

He was a regular figure during his first two-and-a-half seasons following his January 2022 move from Rochdale, playing a key role in top-six finishes in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.

However, his influence has waned more recently, leaving him on the fringes of the squad.

Despite making a strong impact after returning from Wycombe last season, with four goals and three assists in 19 appearances, Morley has since been overtaken by summer signing Xavier Simons.

This term, only seven of his 18 League One appearances have come from the start, with most of his minutes arriving in cup competitions, fuelling ongoing speculation about a permanent exit.

Given his proven quality at League One level, a move away could benefit Morley as the window draws to a close. Should Oxford succeed in striking a deal, the midfielder may even have the opportunity to test himself in the Championship as he looks to reignite his career.