Blackburn Rovers have reportedly approached Oxford United over a possible summer move for midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker.
Queens Park Rangers are also understood to have made contact over the 26-year-old, who could leave the Kassam Stadium following Oxford’s relegation from the Championship.
De Keersmaecker is keen to continue playing at the highest possible level, with Blackburn and QPR both able to offer him an immediate return to the second tier. There is also reported interest from clubs in Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A.
According to a fresh report, Oxford are preparing to receive offers for one of their most important players over the coming weeks.
Blackburn’s interest is not new. Rovers attempted to sign De Keersmaecker last summer, before the Belgian completed his move to Oxford from Heracles Almelo.
He quickly established himself as a key figure in Oxford’s midfield, starting 25 Championship matches during the first half of the campaign. De Keersmaecker registered one goal and five assists before suffering a serious injury in January.
That setback brought his season to a premature end and left him watching from the sidelines as Oxford’s battle against relegation ended unsuccessfully.
Despite missing the closing months of the campaign, his performances appear to have been enough to attract considerable interest. Oxford could now face a difficult task convincing him to remain with the club in League One, particularly with Championship and top-flight European opportunities available.
The relegated club are also dealing with significant problems away from the pitch. Oxford have been placed under an EFL registration embargo, preventing new head coach Aaron Ramsey from registering further additions to a squad already weakened by relegation.
The restriction is understood to relate to League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol, with Oxford reportedly unable to provide sufficient evidence that their ownership would fund a proposed playing budget above the level supported by the club’s projected income.
Their financial position had already come under scrutiny after annual accounts revealed a net loss of £17.5 million for the year ending June 2025, although the club said it remained within the Championship’s profitability and sustainability regulations.
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