Arsenal lining up £8million to move for West Ham wonderkid

Reece Oxford in action for Westham

The Gunners boss and chief scout Steve Rowley are big fans of the 17-year-old and are looking to pip Man United and Man City to his signature

Arsene Wenger is lining up an £8m move for West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford .

Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley is a big admirer of the 17-year-old and is keeping close tabs on developments.

It highlights Arsenal’s determination to snap up some of the Premier League’s best young talent to bolster their squad.

They made moves for Leicester’s teenage full back Ben Chilwell in January and Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon as well as agreeing a deal for Nigerian wonderkids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze.

Oxford, who was outstanding for West Ham in their opening day win at Arsenal, is further down the line in his development and Gunners boss Wenger regards him as a huge prospect.

Arsenal looked at Oxford before he signed a contract at West Ham and now they head a queue of big clubs who are keen.

Rowley has scouted him regularly while Manchester United and Manchester City have also been watching him.

Oxford, whose contract expires in 2018, can play centre half or central midfield and Arsenal like his composure on the ball.

West Ham blocked Oxford from going to the Under-17s World Cup in Chile - he was captain of England’s team - in October and since then he has not started a Premier League game.

That has given clubs encouragement that a deal might be able to be done this summer.