Manchester City have made an official approach to sign West Ham United star Reece Oxford, according to Sky Sports.
The club made contact with West Ham for the seventeen-year-old last
night and Pep Guardiola’s scouts have been watching the midfield play
for England during the recent U19 European Championships.
Several other clubs in the Premier League have been monitoring Oxford, but City have made the first move with a direct approach.
West Ham have already turned down a £10m bid from German cash-flush side
Red Bull Leipzig for their player earlier in the summer, but will be
expecting a much larger offer from Guardiola’s outfit.
The Hammers now face a difficult problem as to whether allow Man City’s
approach and accept an appropriate bid or rebuff all offers and allow
Oxford to develop with the club.
However, the player himself may be keen to join City to receive a
footballing education from arguably the best manager in the world.
Oxford became West Ham’s youngest ever player in their history when he made his Premier League debut in August.
Aged 16, Oxford put in a composed performance against Arsenal on the
opening day of the last campaign when West Ham defeated the Gunners 2-0.
West Ham have strengthened this summer by signing Sofiane Feghouli and
Havard Nordtveit whilst also holding on to key man Dimitri Payet.
However, Oxford turned down a new deal at the end of last season, which
suggests that the lure of a larger pay packet at the Etihad may tempt
him into a move.
West Ham are believed to value the prodigy at £15m.