Oxford United are running an eye over Ovie Ejaria, once of local rivals Reading.
As reported by Reading today, Des Buckingham’s Oxford are keen on bolstering their ranks ahead of their first Championship season since 1998/99. The midfielder has been out of the game for six months but was pictured among the U’s squad yesterday as they featured in a pre-season friendly against Oxford City.
Ejaria once seemed to have the world at his feet – he came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and Liverpool before earning a permanent deal in 2016/17 at Anfield. He made his Premier League debut in November 2016 as Liverpool thrashed Watford 6-1.
His first loan spell in the EFL was not a huge success – he joined Sunderland as they slipped out of the top two divisions for only the second time in their history. A move top Ibrox and Rangers followed, bringing Europa League football, before his spell was curtailed early and he returned to Liverpool.
The midfielder’s long association with Reading began the year after, enjoying the first of two loan spells, before the Royals splashed out a reported £3 million on him. However, after 119 appearances and five goals, he endured a torrid final season. He was omitted from the first-team squad by Paul Ince and then by Ruben Selles due to injury and disciplinary issues, before leaving in December.
A short spell at Plymouth wasn’t enough to earn him a contract, and he now appears to be in the spotlight of Buckingham’s side. They were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs after scraping in on the final day due to rivals losing matches. They’ve already lost Josh Murphy, one of the stars of their promotion campaign, and they’re still looking to add quality and depth to their squad.
Our View
The key here could be cost – Ejaria is looking to get back into football, so he could be cheap. However, is cheap what Oxford need?
There’s no doubt on his day, the former England Under 21 international is a huge talent, but has he let it slip away? Or, is there a chance six months in the wilderness has given him the impetus he needs to kick on and finally realise the potential he’s previously left to rot?
This could be a masterstroke by Des Buckingham if Ejaria impresses.
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