CONOR McAleny will become a free agent this summer after Everton decided against offering the forward a new contract.

The 24-year-old is a target for Oxford United, having scored ten goals in 14 starts on loan during the second half of last season.

It was expected the Toffees would release McAleny, whose most recent of three appearances for the club came in 2014.

Everton have now confirmed the move, after submitting their retained list to the Premier League.

Last month head coach Michael Appleton told the Oxford Mail a contract had been offered to McAleny.

While a deadline has passed without a decision, with the U's yet to sign a replacement they remain in the hunt.

But Appleton has been clear even before the end of the season McAleny's form on loan means they will face stiff competition for his signature from sides in the Sky Bet Championship.

Last month he said: "I felt we were very good to Conor and looked after him very well.

“We gave him an opportunity to almost resurrect his career, because he is 24.

“He took that with both hands and did fantastically well.

“I suppose he’s got to make a decision whether he earns more money and finds himself a possible Championship club at the risk of maybe not playing every week, or being one of the more important players in a League One side where he gets the opportunity to hopefully further his career anyway."