Report: Manchester City eyeing West Ham youngster Reece Oxford

Manchester City is apparently considering making an official approach for Reece Oxford, West Ham United's highly rated teenage defender.

Oxford penned his first professional contract with the Hammers at the earliest opportunity - on his 17th birthday in December - and became a name on the lips of many England fans when he starred in his side's 2-0 win at Arsenal in its 2015-16 curtain-raiser.

He has since mustered just 127 Premier League minutes, but the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman reports that Oxford's sporadic forays in the first team have been enough to encourage Pep Guardiola to identify him as an early transfer target in his City tenure.

West Ham will battle to retain the services of Oxford, a player it believes to be one of the best products that has graduated from its academy for some time, and could offer improved terms to the Enfield native.

But with City likely to offer Champions League football and one of the most decorated personalities in the game in Guardiola at the helm next season, it could be a tough task for West Ham to keep Oxford.

The incoming manager is said to be mindful of the Eastlands outfit fulfilling its homegrown quota in domestic and continental action, and also wants to bolster a position deemed susceptible by Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi's at times underwhelming performances at centre-back, and Vincent Kompany's repeated injury concerns.

Despite a significant downturn in form and a high asking price, Everton's John Stones also remains high on Guardiola's wish list.

Oxford was named to the bench for West Ham's trip to West Bromwich Albion in Saturday's slate of Premier League matches.