Oxford United could lose player of the year to Championship rivals

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EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Oxford United could face a battle to hold onto star talent Ciaron Brown.

The Oxford defender has had an excellent campaign for the Championship side as they secured survival in the second tier at the first time of asking.

It’s been an excellent season Brown personally, who was named Oxford’s Player of the Year by fans and his teammates.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed either, with a number of divisional rivals eyeing up a move and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal who want his signature.

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Three Championship clubs eye Ciaron Brown move

EFL Analysis expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Norwich City are amongst the Championship clubs that are looking at the Northern Ireland international.

They aren’t the only ones interested either, with Bailey adding that teams in Belgium, France and Germany are also considering making a move.

Any team that does want to sign Brown could be able to sign the 27-year-old for a cut-price deal as he will only have 12 months left to run on his contract.

Oxford are keen to keep him though and want to offer him a new deal to extend his stay at the Kassam Stadium.

Which club would suit Ciaron Brown best?

With options aplenty, if Brown is to move on, he will have a selection of clubs to pick from it seems.

Sheffield United would be the most ambitious but given that they could be heading for the Premier League, he would probably find game time harder to come by.

Middlesbrough and Norwich may seem more viable options, in particular the latter.

Norwich look set to report Jack Wilshere permanently and could be set for a big summer rebuild.

Brown could come in and be a first-team starter straightaway at Carrow Road, which would be a logical step.