OXFORD United are prepared to spend money on transfer fees during the January window providing the targets will bring a long-term benefit, according to chairman Darryl Eales.

A key recruitment meeting just before Christmas picked out a wish-list of three players, who would all command a fee.

During the summer, United brought in four players who commanded six-figure fees – Marvin Johnson, Ryan Ledson, Kane Hemmings and Curtis Nelson.

It was thought the spending would end there, particularly after the U’s were unhappy at a tribunal setting Nelson’s fee at £200,000 in November.

At the time Eales described it as a “huge amount of money”

which was more than the club had budgeted.

But the United chief says he is prepared to invest further, if a convincing case can be made by head coach Michael Appleton.

“I’ve said to Michael ‘if you want to sign a player for a transfer fee or bring in a star signing, if there is such a thing, just ask the question’,”

he said.

“There is no blockage to us having that debate.

“The only thing I’ve always said is I don’t want knee-jerk decisions.

“If we were to spend a fee, for me the question would be: would we sign this player in the summer?

“If the answer is yes, then all we’re doing is accelerating it by six months.

“I’m trying to look two years ahead, so as long as anyone we bring in during the window is part of building the long-term strength of the squad then I’m fine.”

He added: “We have identified three players who would probably cost fees.

“Whether we can get them I don’t know, but it’s very much a rifle shot approach, we’re not just seeing what’s out there.

“We have a very good recruitment team who have Dan Crowley was also sent back to Arsenal early and with Christian Ribeiro out since August with a broken ankle, Appleton has struggled to fill his 18-man matchday squad at times in recent weeks.

Eales is aware, while the search is on for adding assets, a key job to fulfil this month is bringing the squad back up to full strength.

United’s chairman said: “The critical thing is if we get more injuries.

“If we lost Kane Hemmings it’s not obvious where the replacement goals are going to come from.

“We have two or three positions that we would quite like to strengthen.

“Part of that is covering bases because of our injuries as much as strengthening the squad.”

The summer spending was made possible by the income from the sale of Kemar Roofe and Callum O’Dowda to Leeds United and Bristol City, which is believed to have netted more than £4million.

While a significant chunk of the Roofe fee went to former club West Bromwich Albion, it showed the value of United’s plan to invest in young talent who could be developed into assets.

Eales sees no reason why it would not continue to work.

He said: “The one thing the club has is people who are reasonably good at buying and selling.

“I think we had to pay more for Curtis Nelson than the rules warranted, but I think we got an absolute bargain in terms of future potential,” he said.

“There are five or six players in the squad who can play in the Championship or higher.

“From that perspective, providing whatever business we do in January is enhancing the squad, then I’ve got no issue.

“What I don’t want is short-term fixes.”

spent the last three months analysing players.”

United are in need of reinforcements after suffering several long-term injuries during the first half of the season.

Although Liam Sercombe is due back this month, far quicker than expected, Achilles problems have ruled out Aaron Martin and Wes Thomas for the campaign.

DARRYL Eales is extra grateful to be working with Michael Appleton when it comes to investing in transfer targets.

Oxford United will be in the market this month to sign players, which could involve spending money on fees.

Some managers use every opportunity they can to secure an increase in their playing budget, but there is a trust between United’s top two figures.

Eales, who rewarded Appleton with a new rolling contract last April, values his head coach’s responsible approach when it comes to finances.

He said: “I don’t think we realise how good a manager we’ve got.

“I mean that not in his coaching skill, but in his integrity and his understanding that football isn’t just about spending money.

“From an owner’s perspective, he’s a fantastic manager.

“He knows I’m putting in a significant amount of my own money.”