Oxford United Plan Seven-Figure Nottingham Forest Raid with Star Youngster Identified as a Target
Oxford United Plot Move for Highly-Rated Nottingham Forest Midfielder
Oxford United are planning a move for highly-rated Nottingham Forest midfielder Jamie McDonnell, according to Alan Nixon.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been a standout performer for Mansfield Town on a season-long loan this season, and drew similar praises for his performances in a Colchester United shirt last season as well.
Matt Bloomfield is looking to bring an early end to that loan spell at Field Mill, and is lining up a £1m+ bid from the U's to bring the Northern Ireland international to Oxford this winter.
Dear the @NFFC board and whom it may concern.
— Mansfield Town 📊 (@StagsAnalytics) October 18, 2025
Let us keep Jamie McDonnell,
Mansfield Town Football Club. #stags
Stags Star Chased by Oxford
Oxford United are looking to get away from the business end of the EFL Championship table, after accumulating just 22 points from 25 matches to sit second-bottom of the table.
It is well-known that the club don't have as much financial muscle as other teams in and around them in England's second tier, meaning Bloomfield will have to echo former Oxford bosses like Gary Rowett and Des Buckingham to work within the club's means in order to bolster a second straight survival campaign with his new club currently three points adrift of safety.
Oxford United are reportedly interested in signing Nottingham Forest youngster Jamie McDonnell (21) in a deal worth over £1M 💷 Via | @reluctantnicko
— eflpublished (@eflpublished) January 14, 2026
The midfielder has spent the first part of the season on loan at League One side Mansfield Town 🦌 #OUFC | #MTFC pic.twitter.com/fafwAfcZ93
Even though Bloomfield has only been in his post for six days, at time of writing, the club have already added two new faces to their squads with the arrival of the highly-rated Tottenham midfielder Jamie Donley on a loan with an option to purchase, who was followed through the door by Brentford's Myles Peart-Harris.
Now, it seems as if Oxford are looking to add more depth to their engine room, as they look to hand Jamie McDonnell his first exposure to second-tier football in the EFL.
Who is Jamie McDonnell?
McDonnell has been on the books at the City Ground since he was 16-years-old following a transfer from NIFL Premiership side Glentoran, and turned professional with the East Midlands outfit at the age of 18 in February 2021.
Though he has not yet made a senior showing for the Reds as of yet, the twice-capped Northern Ireland midfielder was a part of the Forest youth side that made their way to the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford against Manchester United in May 2022. One Alejandro Garnacho was in rude form that day, hoisting Nottingham Forest to a 3-1 loss in Manchester.
Jamie McDonnell made his senior international debut against Germany last night. 👏
— Nottingham Forest Academy (@NFFCAcademy) September 8, 2025
Congratulations, Jamie. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n3cJ22Iirx
McDonnell then made his way to the senior game by way of Colchester United last term, where he turned out 37 times and scored one goal all whilst earning high praise for the quality of his performances.
After making the step up to League One level with Mansfield Town, who are led by ex-Forest star Nigel Clough, McDonnell has continued his impressive ascension through the EFL just up the road from his parent club. His strong performances in midfield have caught the eye of Bloomfield, who is looking to cut McDonnell's Mansfield loan short with a permanent move to Oxford this winter.
Harry Pascoe 
Joe Ryan 
