Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons are interested in a loan move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Haydon Roberts, according to The Athletic (31st January, 10.22am).
The 19-year-old has been an unused substitute 12 times in the Premier League this term and made three appearances in the Carabao Cup.
Roberts, who enters the final year of his contract on the South Coast next season, earned 26 appearances for Rochdale last term, learning his trade by playing out from the back under Brian Barry-Murphy.
Oxford United lost Jordan Thorniley after he was recalled by Blackpool earlier in the window, so it is easy to see where Roberts would fit in there, with the Dons also making room by sending Zak Jules out on loan to Fleetwood Town for the remainder of the season.
Roberts does seem to be highly rated at Brighton and it would be a surprise to not see him receive a contract extension at some stage in the near future, battling to cement a starting berth in a League One promotion pushing side would be an appropriate step up in his development.
It is obvious to see the appeal from the Seagulls' point of view, the Dons and Oxford both play easy-on-the-eye brands of football with an emphasis on keeping the ball on the ground, not too dissimilar to the one that Graham Potter has implemented at the American Express Community Stadium.
The Verdict
Liam Manning's men snuck into League One's top four at the weekend by earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
Whether that can be the difference in convincing the Seagulls to send Roberts to Milton Keynes remains to be seen, with both clubs having great reputations for developing loan players in recent years.
Oxford on the other hand, sit in sixth place with a two point cushion inside the top six, Karl Robinson has utilised the loan market extremely well in recent years and will be confident of at least achieving a third consecutive play-off finish this season.
This one could drag on until closer to the deadline with both clubs desperate to prove to Brighton that they are the better destination for the 19-year-old at this time.