Reece Oxford has had a confusing season.
Loaned to Borrussia Monchengladbach from West Ham last summer, there was great fanfare around the youngster. The German media openly suggested he could be the next Andres Christensen, with the Dane returning to Chelsea.
Oxford was only 18 years of age, he’s 19 now, and it was all asking a bit much. He didn’t make his debut until late October, but Gladbach were pleased with the player and planned he’d be more involved as the season grew.
Then at the end of December, West Ham cut the season long loan short, and Oxford returned to his parent club. There were rumours about a permanent transfer elsewhere, but as soon as Oxford played for the Hammers, against Wigan on January 16th, there was only one other club he could go to… Gladbach.
FIFA transfer rules prevent a footballer playing for more than two clubs in any one season, and with West Ham seemingly not needing Oxford, back to North Rhine-Westphalia he went.
Since then he’s only featured in three games, but that’s been largely down to an injury picked up in March.
On Friday, Kicker report it’s possible Gladbach will make another attempt to keep Oxford, but as it stands he’s set to return to West Ham and there seems weariness at the thought of talks with the Hammers.
Kicker state: ‘The previous negotiations with West Ham United may have taught those responsible for the youngster: It takes patience, tenacity and good nerves to get to a conclusion.’
‘Endless poker’ during the winter window is referenced, so good planning will be needed this time.
The German club’s general manager Max Eberl is quoted as saying: “We have jobs we’re going to do, then we’ll see what happens to Reece, there were no talks with West Ham, but we’ll keep in touch with him and try to keep going with him – not knowing what’s going to come out at the end.”
Kicker claim West Ham were making efforts to sell Oxford for €10m+ in the winter window, hence calling him back, but that was out of Gladbach’s range. It may be the case that those in charge of transfers at the Hammers thought they could cut the loan short, pressure the German side into paying a big fee, and then have the money for other business.
Gladbach weren’t so wet behind the ears.
The club like Oxford, and there’s a feeling he’d be willing to continue with them, but potential talks with West Ham aren’t exactly being relished.
