Everton have made an approach to sign West Ham defender Reece Oxford, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim the Merseyside club have “registered their interest” in landing the Englishman amid reports the Hammers are willing to cash in on the 19-year-old this summer.
Sky Sports have claimed on their website that West Ham have set a £10million asking price for Oxford, who has made 17 senior appearances for the club since making his debut as a 16-year-old.
Good move for Everton?
The jury is still out on Oxford, who promised a huge amount when he won the man of the match for a stunningly assured performance on debut against Arsenal at the ridiculously precocious age of 16. Since then, he has suffered growing pains and it is telling that he failed to establish himself in the first team of Reading or Borussia Monchengladbach during loan spells in the last two seasons. Everton are certainly in need of centre-backs but Oxford is one for the future rather than the here and now. The club have their sights set on a senior man, with Barcelona’s Yerry Mina and Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo both targets ahead of deadline day. Oxford would be a back-up while he develops and looks to get his career back on track.
This Is Futbol rating 5/10
Likely to happen?
Given that the Hammers are willing to do a deal, this is certainly on the cards. Everton have cash to spend and have showed in recent years they are keen to spend big on rising stars with the potential to develop quickly and climb in value. It is likely the Merseysiders could land Oxford permanently and then loan him out for the upcoming campaign.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10