With 44 appearances across all competitions to his name, Atkinson was among Oxford’s top performers in the season gone by under Karl Robinson.
The centre-back has drawn admiring glances from Scottish giants Celtic and Championship outfit Bristol City with his performances for the U’s, who are only open to letting him leave for a fee above the £2m mark.
And the Robins took the lead in the chase for Atkinson’s signature, going in with a bid in excess of £1.4m for him.
However, Oxford are set to knock back Bristol City’s initial offer for the 22-year-old, which still keeps the door open for Celtic to launch a swoop for him.
The Hoops are looking to reinforce their squad in the ongoing window under new boss Ange Postecoglou and the centre-back is a priority position for them, with the likes of first team regular Kristoffer Ajer heavily linked with an exit this summer.
Celtic have now received a boost in their prospects of taking Atkinson north of the border this summer with a rival club now set to fail with their first bid.
The Hoops are yet to make any concrete moves for the defender and it remains to be seen whether Bristol City will return to the table with an improved offer for him.
