West Ham battle to keep Man Utd target, Sakho could leave

Matt Stead

West Ham are fighting to stop Reece Oxford from joining Manchester United, but Diafra Sakho could be on his way to Sunderland, according to reports.

Oxford captained West Ham’s Under-21s to Premier League Cup victory this season, while making 12 first-team appearances throughout the campaign.

And according to The Sun, Manchester United have made a bid worth up to £15million for the 17-year-old, who is understood to have turned down a £12,000-a-week deal with the Hammers.

Oxford caught the eye after impressing in the opening-day win at Arsenal, and his agent, Aidy Ward, is urging the defender to push for a better deal.

Sakho, meanwhile, could be reunited with former boss Sam Allardyce after Sunderland made a £10million bid for the striker.

The Daily Mail report that Sakho has grown frustrated in east London and co-chairman David Sullivan is willing to sanction a move.

An injury-hit season saw the 26-year-old score only seven goals, and West Ham are happy to cash in on a player they signed for just £3.5million from Metz in 2014.