EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke
West Ham United attacker Marcus Browne is in talks with Oxford United over a loan move, Football Insider sources understands.
Browne is set to find himself down the pecking order in new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans next season with West Ham bringing in a number of attacking reinforcements and they feel Browne would be best served to go out on loan again.
A number of Football League clubs have expressed an interest in taking Browne on loan for next season, but a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Oxford are leading the race for his signature as Karl Robinson is determined to bring him to the Kassam Stadium.
Browne is highly-regarded at West Ham having come through the ranks at the club from the age of eight.
The 20-year-old made his West Ham first-team debut during the 2016/17 season when he played Astra Giurgiu in a Europa League qualifier and he has been named on the bench for several games.
The attacking midfielder had a spell out on loan at Wigan during the second half of the 2016/17 campaign, but made only one brief appearance during his time at the Championship club.
West Ham’s management, led by Manuel Pellegrini, want Browne to go to a club where he can play regularly and gain valuable first-team experience before returning to the London Stadium to challenge for a spot in the starting XI.
They regard him as a future first teamer.
