A host of Championship clubs including Sheffield United and Lincoln City are believed to be pondering a January move for Oxford United star Ciaron Brown.
The versatile 27-year-old's contract with the League One side will come to an end next summer and whilst there is hope that he can be persuaded to extend his spell at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford chiefs are bracing themselves for winter interest.
According to EFL transfer insider Alan Nixon, Brown is being 'eyed-up' by Sheffield United and Lincoln as the pair seek to enhance their respective squads for the second half of the season.
Brown, who plays predominantly as a central defender, has impressed at the heart of Aaron Ramsey's backline this term, featuring in all six of their League One fixtures to date.
In total, the Northern Ireland international has made almost 200 appearances for the U's since joining from Scottish Premiership side Livingston in 2021, including 68 in the Championship in 2024/25 and 2025/26.
The former Cardiff City man was included in Michael O'Neill's international squad this month and started for the Green and White Army as they recorded a fourth successive UEFA Nations League cleansheet in their stalemate with Georgia on Monday.
He's expected to slot straight back into Oxford's defence when they resume their quest for promotion back to the Championship at Notts County on Saturday.
Brown has played a key role in what has been a promising start to the season for the yellows, winning three of their opening six fixtures and being beaten just once.
