West Ham are reportedly prepared to sell defender Reece Oxford in the January transfer window – and the club’s supporters are furious on Twitter with the speculation.
The Sun claims that David Moyes’ side are open to offloading the 18-year-old in the New Year to German side Borussia Monchengladbach for a cut-price fee of £6million.
The English centre-back is currently on a season-long loan with the Bundesliga side, but it is understood the move could me made permanent in January.
The report details that Monchengladbach have been impressed by Oxford despite his slow start with them and even came him his first senior start on Tuesday night in the 1-0 defeat to Freiburg.
Oxford is a product of the West Ham academy and was sent on loan overseas this campaign to rack up vital first-team experience.
The England Under-20 international has made 16 senior appearances for the Hammers in the past, but has fallen down the pecking order and Moyes is yet to get a chance to work with him.
West Ham fans on social media have protested against the potential sale of promising talent Oxford and still believe he can have a big future at the club.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
https://twitter.com/ariangas123/status/940634030852231169
Unbelievable ! We buy a mule like Fonte and look to sell one of our future assets ! #whufc
— Mark Ridgewell (@rangerover59) December 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/samhardy85/status/940703555568242689
Not a good idea!
— John Synnott (@JohnSynnott1) December 12, 2017
Why not bring him back if he is a talent?
— Silver Fox (@hammerx33) December 12, 2017
Absolute madness. Promising young defenders is just what we need. Just shows where the #WHU owners priorities lie.
— Wes Ham United ??? (@CouchPotatoUK) December 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/pepeDaina/status/940644821710098432
West Ham do have an ageing defence right now and youngster Declan Rice is the latest academy star to be promoted to the first team at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have shown over the years a desire to promote young talents to their senior squad and Oxford make his breakthrough in 2015.
However, he has sent been sent out on loan to Reading and Monchengladbach, which could eventually lead to a permanent exit.
The versatile defender, who is technically gifted and can be used as a midfielder, is still just a teenager and fans believe he should be kept on the books.