The Mirror reports that Arsenal are interested in acquiring the services of West Ham under 21 Reece Oxford, after scouts were sent to watch him in action on Monday night.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be keeping a close eye on the youngster, tipped to be the ‘next Rio Ferdinand’.
Despite his short career, he has already made exceptional progress.
Last season, Oxford was a regular for the Hammers’ Under 18 team and is now establishing himself in West Ham’s Under 21/Development Squad.
This season, he has trained with the first team and also was an unused substitute in West Ham’s League Cup penalties defeat to Sheffield United.
Oxford helped to keep a clean sheet for the West Ham development squad on Monday against Sunderland, a Hammers team that included first team players: Kevin Nolan, Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te.
West Ham have offered the teenager a contract to convince him to stay at Upton Park, and not be lured by offers from big clubs elsewhere.
First team boss, Sam Allardyce, is said to be impressed by Oxford’s progress and raw talent.
One youngster has already committed his future to West Ham. Reece Burke, 18, has today put pen to paper on a professional contract having featured twice for the first team this season.
By Joseph Richardson
