Jose Mourinho has marked West Ham youngster Reece Oxford as a key transfer target this summer, according to reports from the British media.
Reece Oxford was impressive for the Hammers in the 2015-16 Premier League season, during which he made 12 appearances under Slaven Bilic. The 17-year-old can operate as a defensive midfielder or as a centre-back and is considered a great prospect for the future.
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are expected to launch a formal enquiry about Oxford some time later this week. As for West Ham, it seems unlikely that they will be able to hold on to their prized possession, as Oxford has just two years left on his current contract with the club.
The Hammers are expected to be prepared to sell Oxford for as little as £10 million. However, Manchester United are reportedly ready to part with more than that amount if push comes to shove.
Mourinho wants Rio Ferdinand in his backroom staff
Jose Mourinho has already set his Manchester United plans in motion and wants West Ham academy graduate and iconic Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand as one of his assistants in the backroom staff, according to the Daily Mail.
The former England captain, who retired from football in 2015, has been working as a pundit on BT Sport for the last year or so. Ferdinand was one of the first to congratulate Mourinho on his appointment as the Manchester United boss, tipping him for success at Old Trafford as he compared the Portuguese to a “wounded animal” after being sacked by Chelsea.
Oxford could be a perfect fit at United, but can Mourinho utilise him?
Oxford is a player who can operate in central defence or as a holding midfielder. These are positions where Manchester United need players at the moment. Their best holding midfielder Michael Carrick is out of contract at the club, and it does not look like he will be offered a new deal given his advancing years.
The team have been suffering from the lack of a proper centre-back, as they have been forced to play midfielder Daley Blind in that position. Oxford can easily slot into either of these positions and build his reputation at Old Trafford from there.
However, it will be interesting to see how much Mourinho will play the 17-year-old, as the Portuguese has a reputation for trusting experienced players much more than the ones from the academy.