Oxford could turn career around alongside Everton's young English contingent

By Sam Preston

Everton are in the race to sign West Ham United outcast Reece Oxford during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

They report that the young English defender does not want a loan deal next month – he wants to leave east London permanently – and that Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach are also both in the hunt for his signature.

Oxford has slipped out of the first team picture at the club where he came through the ranks, with Declan Rice now having raced ahead of him in terms of development.

But he is just 20 and the reported presence of Pep Guardiola’s champions in the chase for his services underlines just how much talent he has; it’s just a case of getting back on track.

(Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)

If Oxford did move to Goodison, not only would he get away from the trappings and distractions of life in London, but he would be surrounded by a host of young English players.

That could help him settle, and get back on track as they are all on course to realise their promise under Marco Silva’s guidance.

Oxford would offer useful defensive depth and the good work Silva has done in developing Michael Keane this season indicates what he can do with promising but slightly wayward centre halves.