Tottenham jet out for Germany scouting mission as they step up £15m defender pursuit - report

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Published on:

17 Jul 2016, 2:59 am

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Tottenham have joined the £15million race to sign West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford, according to a report.

The Sun claim that scouts from Spurs watched the 17-year-old defender play for England Under-19s against Holland on Friday.

It is said that representatives from Manchester City and Manchester United were also in attendance for England's 2-1 win in Germany, as Oxford played the entire 90 minutes of a match which secured his team a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.

The Sun reported earlier this summer that United have have submitted a bid worth up to £15million for Oxford.

It is said the Hammers have also rejected a £10million offer from German side Red Bull Leipzig for Oxford.

It is reported that the promising defender has already rejected a new bumper deal from the Hammers worth £12,000-a-week in wages. His current contract ends in two years.

Oxford captained West Ham's Under-21s side to Premier League Cup glory last season and was the star of the show when the Hammers beat Arsenal on the opening day of the season, but has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the first team since then.

The youngster still has two more years to run on his current contract at West Ham and United's initial offer is said to be £10million rising to a potential £15million if the defender meets certain performance related expectations at Old Trafford.

The centre-back is reportedly unhappy with the amount of playing time he received from the Hammers and his agent Aidy Ward, the same man who handles Raheem Sterling's affairs, has been pushing for a better deal.

In other Tottenham transfer news, the club have turned their attention to a 10-goal France-based winger after being put off by the £25million asking price for Georginio Wijnaldum.

Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United

Reece Oxford