West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic wants Reece Oxford to stay.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic before the game
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has told The Sun that he thinks it would be best for Reece Oxford to stay with the club rather than move on.
The Hammers take on Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup this evening, and manager Bilic may hand some playing time to bit-part players and young talents.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic and Reece Oxford as he is substituted
17-year-old ace Oxford – who can play at centre back or in holding midfield – is in line to play, but question marks remain over his future with the club.
The teenager has come up through the ranks with West Ham, and hit the headlines on the opening weekend of last season with a stunning performance in front of the Hammers back four against Arsenal.
Oxford has been a bit-part player since, but that hasn’t stopped him from being one of the most highly-rated young players in English football, and with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the pressure is on West Ham to fend off Premier League interest.
FC Lusitans’ Jose Aguilar and West Ham’s Reece Oxford in action
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Oxford has stalled on a deal with West Ham, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United all interested in signing him.
Ahead of tonight’s game against Accrington, Bilic has been asked about the situation – and he told The Sun that he thinks Oxford should stay with the club.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
Bilic used Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick as examples of players who stayed into their 20’s as he thinks Oxford should do the same, and hopes to see a new contract sealed sooner rather than later.
“I think it would be best for him to stay,” said Bilic. “There are a few examples of players who had great careers who started at West Ham — Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick etc.”
“I know his representatives are talking to the club and hopefully it will be sorted soon, in a good way,” he added.
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