Manchester City eye summer move for young West Ham defender

Manchester City are reportedly considering making an approach for young West Ham United defender Reece Oxford, according to the Daily Mail.

Incoming Citizens manager Pep Guardiola is keen to bring the best young English talent to the club this summer, and has identified the 17-year-old Hammers centre-half as one of his top targets as he looks to strengthen a central defence with players such as Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis coming under scrutiny for their performances this season.

Oxford made his Premier League debut in the first game of the campaign – a 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates – and put in an impressive and mature performance for the Irons.

Slaven Bilic is keen to hand his star youngster, who has made 11 appearances in all competitions for the club this term, a new deal, but City are confident that the lure of Champions League football could persuade him to make the move north.