OPINION
Everton director of football Marcel Brands must launch a bid to sign West Ham defender Reece Oxford, with the England Under-20 international reportedly allowed to leave the London Stadium this summer.
Oxford, 19, has struggled to break into the Hammers first team in recent years despite being highly rated as one of the best young English centre-backs in the Premier League.
Last season he made just eight appearances while on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach while also earning a small amount of game-time for the Irons during the winter period.
And now, the 6ft 2in defender is available for clubs to sign this summer, with football.london reporting that West Ham will offload him for £10million.
One year ago, Oxford was wanted by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal before he signed a new contract at the London Stadium and although his last couple of loan spells have been pretty woeful, he still has immense potential and Everton should look to make an offer for him as soon as possible.
Marco Silva’s defensive options are poor to say the least and signing a young, hungry defender who is tall, good on the ball and has a bit of pace about him would be a top signing.
The added fact that Oxford is English, is capped at five different youth levels and is only going to get better and better is an added reason as to why the Toffees should look to splash £10million – a fee that will look like an absolute bargain in the future.