Oxford United midfielder Cameron Brannagan has a seven-figure release clause in his contract amid interest from other clubs, according to a report from Lancs Live.

The 25-year-old has been prolific going forward this season, scoring 14 goals in 40 league appearances despite appearing mostly in the middle of the park, also managing to register three assists as a key cog in Karl Robinson's side's machine.

Inevitably, this has alerted other sides to his signature with Championship quintet Blackpool, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Stoke City all thought to be interested in a move for the midfielder.

Fortunately for his current side, he is contracted to the Kassam Stadium beyond the summer but his deal only runs until 2023, potentially enabling a second-tier side to secure a cut-price deal for his services.

The number of teams interested in his services would raise hopes that they could maximise his price tag in a potential bidding war in normal circumstances, with the chances of him remaining at the League One side potentially limited because of the fact they will be remaining in the third tier next season.

But according to Lancs Live, Brannagan has a seven-figure release clause in his current contract and that could open the door for a side to secure an early summer agreement with the player, something his current side will have little control over.

The Verdict:

Having a goalscoring midfielder can be a real game-changer and this proved to be the case with Barnsley last season - because without Alex Mowatt's 15 goal contributions - they wouldn't have been able to secure a top-six finish.

AFC Bournemouth's Philip Billing is another example, so he would be a real asset to any second-tier side next season if he can replicate this term's form and make the step up seamlessly, a step many players have made before.

You do have to feel sorry for Oxford in this situation - because they would probably still be able to generate a decent fee for the midfielder this summer considering the number of teams that are in the race for him.

In fairness though, none of the five teams mentioned are likely to spend a huge amount of money this summer, certainly not the likes of Blackpool and Preston anyway with the former only just being promoted to the second tier at the end of last season.

Even the Blades and the R's, who have been in the promotion mix this season, haven't spent much recently and Stoke don't look as though they will be spending a silly amount of money during the next window.

Still, the third-tier side would probably generate more money from a regular sale as opposed to a release clause so they will be bracing themselves for his potential departure in the coming months with other clubs able to get a possible bargain.