Oxford United winger Stan Mills remains a target for Preston North End, but Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom refused to discuss the 23-year-old in his latest press conference. The U's, who finished 22nd in the Championship last season with 47 points (11W-14D-21L), are under a temporary transfer embargo after failing to comply with Squad Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules. Despite this, they have vowed to keep their current squad intact until January, when the embargo is expected to lift.
What did Heckingbottom say about Mills?
When asked about Preston's reported interest in Mills, Heckingbottom remained tight-lipped. "He's not our player," the manager said. "I don't talk about other clubs' players. He's not our player, that's it." He added that while he could discuss Mills off the record, there was nothing concrete to share publicly. The Lilywhites are pushing to sign the winger, who scored 12 goals last season and was named Oxford's Player of the Season.
Why is Oxford United resisting sales?
The U's are in a tricky position after their transfer embargo was imposed for failing to meet SCMP regulations. With no ability to register new players, they have insisted they will not sell any of their current squad until January. This includes Mills, who has been a key figure for Aaron Ramsey's side. Oxford's recent form (2W-0D-3L) suggests they need stability, especially after their last result-a 2-0 loss to Millwall on May 2, 2026.
What comes next for Mills and Oxford?
With the transfer window still open, Preston could make another push for Mills, but Oxford's stance remains firm. The U's will start their League One campaign this Saturday against MK Dons, hoping to rebuild after a challenging season. For now, Mills remains an Oxford player, but the speculation will continue until the window closes.
