Oxford United are reportedly keen on signing Celtic’s Polish defender Maik Nawrocki on loan as they seek to bolster their defensive options for the remainder of the Championship season.
According to the Daily Record, the 23-year-old is a top target for Oxford manager Gary Rowett.
Nawrocki joined Celtic from Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2023 in a £4m move but has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Parkhead.
Currently, he sits behind established central defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Liam Scales in Brendan Rodgers’ pecking order. With Dane Murray recently recalled from a loan spell to provide cover, Nawrocki appears even further removed from the starting XI.
The Polish defender’s time at Celtic has been plagued by limited opportunities to make an impact. With Brendan Rodgers favouring a settled central defensive partnership of Carter-Vickers and Trusty, and Liam Scales performing when called upon, Nawrocki has spent much of the season on the bench or outside the matchday squad.
Injuries throughout his first season at the club meant that he couldn’t nail down a place in the squad.
With the January transfer window open, a loan move to Oxford United could provide Nawrocki with a vital opportunity to gain consistent game time and showcase his talents.
Oxford United are currently battling to solidify their position in the highly competitive Championship and see Nawrocki as a player who can add quality and depth to their backline.
They sit 17th in the 24-team league, just 5 points above the relegation zone. They need to pick up a few points and keep opposition attacks at bay to stay safe this season. Nawrocki could add some quality to a defence that’s conceded 40 goals this season.
