West Ham are blocking defender Reece Oxford’s potential loan move to Heerenveen due to wanting a sizeable loan fee as well as all his wages covered, according to the Daily Mirror.
The national newspaper’s live transfer blog (Wednesday 30th January, 15:26) claim that the Dutch club did want to take the centre-back on loan but due to not meeting the Hammers’ criteria, the London club are refusing to approve the player’s temporary exit.
The Mirror report that Oxford is keen to move in January to get regular football but that the Hammers are open to having the defender sit tight to wait for a move until the summer if the right offer doesn’t emerge.
It is believed that Heerenveen aren’t the only interested party in Oxford as Nottingham Forest and Borussia Monchengladbach have shown interest in him in January but are yet to return for him recently due to a deal seeming difficult.
Good move for West Ham?
No.
Oxford is well away from Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team plans so it’s bizarre that they’re opting to play hardball over him.
Oxford clearly wants away from the London Stadium based on the Mirror’s claim that he seeks a January exit and with him having three suitors, there’s clearly enough demand for a solution to be found.
While the Hammers are open to letting him go now if the right offer emerges, it seems their stance about being able to wait until the summer, gives them all the power in this situation.
This is no doubt a frustrating scenario for Oxford as his future is clearly out of his hands.
This Is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
While Oxford is likely not on big wages so someone should be able to match them, it’s concerning that the Hammers want a sizeable loan fee for him.
Given that the centre-back has hardly been playing regular football over the last two season, it’s absurd that they want a significant fee for him.
It’s hard to imagine any potential suitor whether that’s Forest or Heerenveen, being willing to take an expensive gamble on Oxford as they were likely only looking at him due to him potentially being a cheap available option.
Also there’s not much time left in the January transfer window, so that also works against the Hammers changing their stubborn stance.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10