Arsenal have today been linked with an £8m January swoop for highly-rated West Ham youngster Reece Oxford in the Mirror.
The news of the Gunners’ reported interest comes just hours after the Times stated that Manchester United were also weighing up a similar offer when the January transfer window opens next month.
The 16-year-old made his West Ham first-team debut in the Europa league qualification rounds where he became the club’s youngest-ever player at a tender age of just 16 years and 198 days, but he caught media recognition after a stellar Premier League debut away at Arsenal on the opening day of the season.
A centre-back by trade, Oxford was deployed in central midfield by Slaven Bilic due to a number of injuries, and the England U19 international flourished and established himself as a first-team squad player for the season.
West Ham will offer Oxford a new two-and-a-half-year deal when he turns 17 later this month, but are unable to offer him longer terms due to FA restrictions on under-18 players.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal were all keen on signing Oxford last year before he put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract at Upton Park.
Oxford has made six first-team appearances for the club this season and has been an unused sub a further three times as he looks to stake his claim for a starting role in the years ahead.
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