CHRIS Maguire’s future is up in the air after the forward revealed no formal contract had been offered by Oxford United.
The 28-year-old is the highest-profile player in the squad whose existing deal expires this summer.
Maguire is enjoying the most productive season of his career, netting 13 goals.
United are keen to retain his services, with chairman Darryl Eales making it clear in January he was intending to convince the Scot his best interests were served by staying.
Maguire is happy to talk, but nothing has been tabled yet.
He said: “People keep saying to me this, that or the other, but I’ve not heard anything.
“Until people want to speak to me, I can’t decide what’s happening.
“I’ll take it when it comes and see what happens.
“If they want to start talking to me and my representatives we’ll see what they’ve got to
say.
“I’ve enjoyed this season and it’s the best scoring season I’ve had.
“I want to get more goals, I know I should have had more. I’m always looking to get better and progress myself.
“I want to keep improving and play as high as I can.”
As the contract is into the final six months, other clubs can make an approach to offer a deal for his services next season.
But United believe holding off negotiations is the best option for a player who took two months to put pen to paper last summer.
Head coach Michael Appleton has signed Maguire three times and will move when he feels the moment is right.
He said: “I’ve had a couple of conversations with him, but Chris is a bit different to the rest.
“He’s very experienced from that point of view because he’s had numerous clubs.
“I’ve got a decent relationship with Chris and when the time’s right we’ll have a conversation again, probably with his agent, to get an understanding of what he wants to do.
“I’ve worked with Mags many times and I know how he thinks.
“Putting something in front of him makes no difference whatsoever.
“It just gives him the opportunity to have enough time to think, weigh-up, etc.
“If Chris Maguire wants to be here next season he will be, that’s the best way to put it.”
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