"Strange one" - Oxford United's place in Stoke, Swansea transfer race questioned | OneFootball

Oxford United have been linked with a loan move for Max Johnston from Sturm Graz.

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Oxford United are interested in signing right-back Max Johnston on loan from Austrian champions SK Sturm Graz this summer.

According to a report from Football Insider, Championship clubs Oxford United, Stoke City and Swansea City are keen on signing the defender on a temporary basis for the 2024/25 campaign.

Johnston signed for Sturm Graz from Motherwell for a compensation fee in the region of £400,000 last summer, before helping his new club win both the league title and the Austrian Cup during his debut season.

The 20-year-old gained plenty of experience in Austria last season, playing against PSV Eindhoven in Champions League qualifying, Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League group stage, and Lille in the last 16 of the Conference League, as well as winning a league and cup double.

Now, it seems as though the Scotland youth international could potentially experience a new environment in the second tier of English football.

Fan pundit gives verdict on Oxford United's interest in Max Johnston

Football League World's Oxford fan pundit, Andrew Taylor, believes that the U's do not necessarily need to sign another right-back, with Sam Long and Peter Kioso already providing two good options in that area of the pitch.

"There were a lot of question marks about Sam Long at full-back this season, although he played very well in the play-off final and semi-final," said Taylor.

"There was a lot of question marks over him - would he be able to cope in the Championship? Will he be able to step up? But certainly, after the first game of the season, he was brilliant.

"He definitely answered his critics and he was also included in the team of the week, so you can't get a better performance than that. We also have summer signing Peter Kioso, so we have got two right-backs there, a very competitive position with those two battling for the shirt.

"It doesn't really make sense why we would go and sign a youngster on loan if we couldn't guarantee him the game time. Is this a loan with a view to a permanent deal? Maybe a short-term loan until January and then look to get him in full-time after that - I don't know. "I feel like we're solid at left-back and right-back, with two very capable right-backs in Sam Long and Peter Kioso, so yeah, strange one, but how much strength in depth do you actually need in the Championship?

"I don't think we can guarantee him game time, unless someone picks up an injury or loss of form."

Oxford have enough depth at right-back

Considering Sam Long's performance during Oxford's opening day victory over Norwich City and the recent arrival of Peter Kioso, it does seem as though Des Buckingham has enough options at right-back for the 2024/25 campaign.

The fact that Stoke and Swansea are also reportedly interested in Johnston, and considering he has European pedigree, may suggest that he would be an upgrade on Oxford's current options, but it does not seem like a signing that would make or break the U's season.

As Taylor explained, Oxford seemingly already have enough squad depth in Johnston's position, so he may be better off signing for another one of the interested clubs.