West Ham United could send the talented teenager back out on loan but is Germany the right destination?
According to a report from German newspaper Bild, Borussia Monchengladbach want to sign West Ham United teenager Reece Oxford on a two-year loan deal, similar to the one that allowed Andreas Christensen to blossom over two full Bundesliga campaigns.
The problem is, West Ham fans are desperate to see Oxford in action and they would be right to question the benefits of waving goodbye to the 18-year-old for two years to get him used to a league his parent club do not even play in.
Loan deals can be hugely beneficial for Premier League sides to blood their next generation, and Chelsea’s Christensen certainly improved during his stint at Monchengladbach. But committing to such a long deal is a risk for the Hammers, especially after they saw Oxford shunted aside during his temporary spell at Reading this season.
It could be a master-stroke but Oxford showed when he was only 16 that he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.
For that reason a one-year loan at a club where he can actually play week in, week out is the best option, before he finally heads back to the London Stadium ready to become the West Ham superstar many expect him to be.
West Ham reportedly have no intention of sanctioning the two-year option, so it remains to be seen if Monchengladbach will take him for as long as they can or look elsewhere.
One thing is for sure: After the Reading debacle, the Hammers need to get Oxford’s next move right.
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