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Sources: Wigan Athletic submit bid for Oxford midfielder Mark Sykes
Wigan Athletic have made a beat-the-deadline bid for Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes, Football Insider understands.
Sykes has been a stand-out performer for Oxford this season, with eight goals and four assists in 29 games in all competitions and his displays have brought him to the attention of a number of clubs.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Oxford’s League One rivals Wigan have tabled an offer for Sykes as they look to bolster their squad to boost their promotion bid in the second half of the season.
Sykes is in the final six months of his contract at the Kassam Stadium and it remains to be seen if they will decide to cash-in on the Belfast-born midfielder.
Football Insider reported earlier this month (13 January) Huddersfield Town were one of a number of clubs monitoring the 24-year-old.
He has scored eight times and provided one assist in 24 League One games this season, including 21 starts.
Sykes moved to Oxford from Northern Irish outfit Glenavon in January 2019 and now has 120 appearances for the U’s under his belt.
Karl Robinson’s side occupy the final play-off place in League One while Wigan are a point clear at the top of the table.
They have already bolstered their midfield ranks with the signing of Glen Rea from Luton Town earlier today (31 January).
Rea is a defensive midfielder who can also operate at the back while Sykes would offer Leam Richardson creativity further forward.
In other news, Wigan Athletic have responded to Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient offers for Luke Robinson.