Championship clubs Oxford United and Portsmouth have been linked with a short-term deal for 30-year-old defender Paddy McNair during the January transfer window. The Northern Ireland international formerly played for Manchester United and Middlesbrough. He signed for San Diego for their inaugural MLS season and was on loan at Albion for six months in the first half of last season. McNair is under contract with the American club until December 2027. A temporary move is a possibility as the MLS season is not set to begin until March. The defender, who joined San Diego FC in July 2024, has 80 caps and 7 goals for Northern Ireland, and his current market value is €2.80m according to Transfermarkt.