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Manchester rivals battle for West Ham youngster

Manchester rivals battle for West Ham youngster


Manchester rivals battle for West Ham youngster

City and United set to do battle over Oxford

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in signing West Ham United teenager Reece Oxford, according to reports.

Bitter managerial rivals José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are set to do battle over 17-year-old Oxford.

The 6ft 2in england under-19 international made 12 appearances for the Hammers last season, drawing critical acclaim for his performance in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates in August.

Guardiola is thought to have made the clearest move to take Oxford to Manchester, having made an official enquiry as to the player's availablity via telephone on Monday.

But Mourinho is also keen on the youngster, who can play as a central defender or a defensive midfielder, and United have scouted Oxford several times.

Although West Ham will be keen to hang on to one of their brightest young prospects, Oxford only has one year left on his current contract, so the East London club could yet be open to considering a sizable offer for the player, rather than risk losing him for a compensation fee when his deal expires in 12 months.

Both City and United have made some major moves in the transfer market this summer, with the Citizens having signed Ilkay Gundogan, Alexandr Zinchenko and Nolito, while United have brought in Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. And neither side are finished with their transfer business, as City plot moves for John Stones and Leroy Sané, while United are set to splash £100 million on Paul Pogba.