West Ham defender Reece Oxford could still make his protracted move to Borussia Monchengladbach if the Bundesliga club are prepared to increase their offer to £15million, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper report that Monchengladbach have already submitted an offer of £8million for the 19-year-old enforcer, but that bid has been rejected by the Hammers.
The Telegraph claim that Oxford’s future will likely be decided after West Ham’s FA Cup third-round replay against Shrewsbury next Tuesday.
Oxford spent the first half of the season on loan at Monchengladbach, and that deal could reportedly still be resurrected if they are unable to come to an agreement on a permanent deal.
Red Bull Leipzig are also reportedly interested in the 19-year-old.
Good move for West Ham United?
No, no and no.
Oxford has always been very highly-regarded at the club, and to let him go before he has even had a real chance to play at the London Stadium would be a grave mistake.
The youngster is still only 19, and has many years of development ahead of him.
The sensible move here would be to let him go back out on loan to Monchengladbach, and not permanently.
This is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
For a permanent deal to be struck, Monchengladbach are going to have to essentially double their current bid.
That would seem unlikely at this point, especially as Oxford did not fully establish himself at the club before the Bundesliga winter break.
The most likely outcome here would be either a loan back, which would be the best option for the Hammers, or RB Leipzig may come in with a big offer.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10