Surely Oxford is a better option for West Ham than Sunderland’s Kone?

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Rather than targeting Sunderland’s Lamine Kone should David Moyes not give Reece Oxford a chance at West Ham instead?

David Moyes, manager of West Ham United, arrives to the stadium prior to the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has spoken about the future of Reece Oxford amid rumours the defender will be leaving the club in the January transfer window.

The BBC reports that RB Leipzig have agreed an initial £8m deal, potentially rising to £16.88m, for Oxford but Moyes now says the 19-year-old will get a chance to prove himself with the Hammers after having his season-long loan at Borussia Monchengladbach cut short.

SC Freiburg’s Nils Petersen and Borussia Moenchengladbach defender Reece Oxford (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match.

“Reece is coming back,” the Scot was quoted by talkSPORT. “I don’t know Reece, I’ve never worked with Reece, so I’ll take the time to have a look at him and see how he does.

“I know he has been talked of very highly but went out on loan so we’ll have a look at him, get him back and see how he does.”

How long Oxford will be given to prove himself before Moyes decides whether to sell him permanently remains to be seen, but the 54-year-old does have issues in the teenager’s preferred position of centre-back currently.

Lasse Vibe of Brentford and Lamine Kone of Sunderland challenge for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Griffin Park.

In fact, according to the Mirror the West Ham boss wants to sign two new players in the role in the new year, with Alfie Mawson of Swansea City and Sunderland’s Lamine Kone on the wishlist.

Mawson has done well in a struggling Swans side since his 2016 switch from Barnsley, but interest in Kone is likely to raise a few eyebrows considering the 28-year-old was part of the Black Cats team managed by Moyes that was relegated from the Premier League last season with just 24 points.

The Ivory Coast international has hardly shone in the Championship this term either, so surely most fans at the London Stadium would rather see homegrown talent like Oxford given a chance over someone who has failed to truly impress for 18 months now?