Oxford United is reportedly eyeing a move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Marc Leonard. The 22-year-old recently faced off against the U’s while on loan at Northampton Town this season.
He was in the starting lineup for the EFL Trophy clash in September, which saw a 3-1 victory for United with Mark Harris netting a brace. Leonard also made an impression in the league encounter at Sixfields in December, where the Cobblers secured a late win. His standout moment came in February at the Kassam Stadium, providing a delightful cross for Will Hondermarck in a 2-2 draw.
According to the Daily Record, Oxford United is willing to meet Brighton’s six-figure valuation for Leonard, who hails from Glasgow and has featured for Scotland’s Under-21 squad. Interest in the midfielder isn’t limited to Oxford, with other Championship and League One clubs also reportedly monitoring the situation. European teams like Legia Warsaw in Poland and Sturm Graz in Austria have also shown interest.
Leonard joined Brighton from Hearts at 16 in 2018, making his first-team debut in August 2021. He has gained experience in competitions like the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup, notably playing in Brighton’s 2-0 victory against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup second round. On loan at Northampton for the past two seasons, he played a pivotal role in their promotion last year and has been a regular starter this season, scoring six goals in 97 appearances. Leonard’s contract with Brighton runs until June 2025, with an option for an additional year.
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