NEW deals have been offered to several key Oxford United players whose contracts have 12 months left to run – but boss Karl Robinson is not in the mood to negotiate.

The U’s are understood to be closing in on their first signing of the summer, but there is also a desire to tie down assets for the future.

Robinson has not disclosed who has been offered new terms, but Simon Eastwood, Curtis Nelson, Rob Hall and Ryan Ledson are the highest-profile stars heading into the final year of their existing deals.

A failure to reach an agreement would raise the possibility they could leave for free next year – a scenario which the U’s face with Joe Rothwell this summer.

But while there is a determination to protect United’s investments, Robinson is prepared to allow deals to be run down.

“If they walk away for nothing (next year) and we get promoted, then I’ll take that,” he said.

“If I think they’re going to play every week, that means they’re going to benefit the team.

“If they don’t sign the new deals, it doesn’t really bother me.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve been around long enough and I’m not going to get bullied into things.”

Although the players, as it stands, are in a strong position, Robinson pointed out things could change with an injury or loss of form.

He said: “They’ve got to be careful, because if they get injured it’s a lonely place to be.

“I’ve seen it happen – Rob Hall funnily enough is the one that comes to mind.

“We’re not going to be a team that’s going to be pushed and shoved around.

“There’s also the risk of someone coming in who’s better than you and you’re a sub.

“Do they know who I’m bringing in?

“I think you all know we’re going to be very competitive next year, so I don’t think anyone is going to be safe.”