OPINION
West Ham had extremely high hopes for young defender Reece Oxford after he became the club’s youngest-ever player in 2015, but things have not gone to plan for the now-20-year-old.
Oxford has not made the progress in his game that were expected, and has been left behind by fellow academy players like Declan Rice and Grady Diangana, who are both now first-team regulars.
The club have grown frustrated with the starlet, who has been pushing for first-team football despite failing to show any evidence that he deserves a chance at that level.
Talk has therefore now turned towards a permanent exit for Oxford, who is desperate for a chance to show what he can do at senior level.
With just four days left until the end of the January transfer window time is of the essence if he wants to secure an exit, and Championship side Nottingham Forest are being linked with an £8million move by the Mirror.
Sky Sports are also reporting that Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt are in talks to sign Oxford, also in a deal worth £8million.
Obviously a deal with Frankfurt would be preferable for West Ham, with such a switch less likely come back and bite the Hammers in the future.
However, the most important thing is that they get rid of Oxford this month, with there being no future for the £20,000-a-week youngster at the London Stadium [Spotrac].
Securing an £8million fee would be a good result for the Hammers, who must take the money and run for the hills, bringing an end to this long-running saga.
