Football
Exclusive: Cardiff City Enter Race with Exeter to Land Oxford Winger Owen Dale
Cardiff City and Exeter City are vying for Oxford United's Owen Dale, with talks underway for a loan move to Cardiff. Dale, 26, is keen for first-team action and prefers a permanent move. He has fallen out of favor at Oxford and is attracting interest for around £100,000-£200,000.
Peterborough United v Oxford United - Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg by Michael Regan | Getty Images
Cardiff City and Exeter City are battling it out for Oxford United’s Owen Dale, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. For fans following these transfers closely, you can also check out the latest football betting sites to back your predictions and stay ahead of the League One action.
Our sources understand that the U’s winger is on the radar of a number of League One clubs.
But it is understood that talks have already begun between Oxford chiefs and the Bluebirds over a loan move. For readers looking to add a little extra excitement while following League One action, don’t miss our best free bet offers to get started today.
The Grecians remain interested in securing the services of the 26-year-old, but now face stiff competition from the Welsh club.
It is understood Oxford are open to selling the player and would command a fee in the region of £100,000-£200,000.
Dale is understood to be desperate for first-team football and would prefer a permanent move after falling out of favour at the Kassam.
A pacy and electric wide man, Dale remains a highly attractive League One option despite failing to cut the mustard in the Championship for Gary Rowett.
New Start Needed
Dale is not in Rowett’s plans at the U’s this season and has not been named in the squad for any of the club’s opening three fixtures of the campaign, including their EFL Cup win over League Two Colchester United.
The winger moved to the Kassam at the end of the winter window last year and helped United secure promotion via the play-offs to the Championship.
He made 11 appearances in the second tier last term, only four of those starts, before Des Buckingham was sacked and has not featured once for the club since Rowett took over at the backend of 2024.
Dale made a deadline-day loan switch to Wigan Athletic last season, but the Latics decided against trying to get the player back this summer.
Speaking about the player last season, Rowett admitted: “You can’t keep everybody happy and you can’t give everyone what they want. Owen is one of those. I know he’s a really good footballer and a really good player.”
“He’s been one that has been unfortunate along with a few, and there’s an opportunity for him to go and play at a very good level, so for me, if players want to go and play football, that’s what they should do.”
Shane is a seasoned sports journalist and one of the most recognisable voices in the snooker pressroom. From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Zhao Xintong, he has sat down with the sport’s biggest names and broken hundreds of front-page national stories.
Alongside his work for SportsBoom, Shane regularly freelances for national outlets including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star.
While cricket is Shane’s true passion, particularly Test cricket, he keeps it largely separate from his professional work. But don’t expect him to be sold on The Hundred as the future of the game.