Scouting Tottenham Hotspur Transfer Target Reece Oxford

Letting a talented young player go only to buy them back later for a big price could become a trend if Premier League clubs are not careful.

Chelsea spent £21 million buying midfielder Nemanja Matic back from Benfica in 2014, three years after he left the Blues. Manchester United are reportedly considering spending a world-record fee to reunite with Juventus' Paul Pogba four years after he left in search of a regular starting place—the Guardian's Jamie Jackson among those chasing that story.

According to the Sun's Andrew Richardson and the Mirror's Tom Hopkinson, Tottenham Hotspur could be another club contemplating a bit of regret spending. The north Londoners are mentioned as one of several clubs who watched former youth-team player and current West Ham United man Reece Oxford play for England Under-19s against the Netherlands last week.

Upon making his league debut last season, the 17-year-old remembered how "I was at Tottenham for a while but they did not want me and I went to West Ham, which was the best option for me," per Sky Sports.

Seemingly so, given the versatile youngster was already following up matchday-squad inclusions and Europa League appearances in the summer with a momentous league bow away at Arsenal in an impressive 2-0 win (see above).

"West Ham have been giving the young players a chance who are coming through," Oxford added, going on to praise how the Hammers academy "like to push players, we have a few youngsters playing in the U21s, which is good."

Almost a year on, though, there are suggestions Oxford is not so content.

The current speculation has gained momentum since it was reported in May—by, among others, the London Evening Standard's Ken Dyer—that discussions over a contract extension had not resulted in a new agreement.

Oxford only signed his previous contract back in December, upon turning 17. Speaking to the club's official website then, progression as a West Ham player was foremost on his mind:

"I hope I did!" he replied when asked if he showed his potential in those first playing opportunities, clearly revelling in his newfound prominence. He went on:

"

People said I had a good game so hopefully I can push on this season and get more.

Sometimes players do fall of a bit when they sign their big deal, or sign a deal. But I'm just looking to get better and just progress and start—I want to start in the Prem week-in, week-out—and just be better, and try get a new contract and try sign longer for the club.

"

Oxford did get those games, finishing with 12 appearances—more than respectable for a player of his age. Manager Slaven Bilic sensibly decided to carefully integrate the young hopeful while he continued his development at youth team-level.

Given that Oxford had talked about making his West Ham debut in their new Olympic Stadium home a year earlier, per the FA.com's Gary Stonehouse, he was more than ahead of schedule.

Whether or not it is true Oxford has grown impatient for more first-team football already, it is not a surprise Tottenham and other clubs may be coveting him regardless.

Those familiar with his England youth appearances prior to last season will have known him as a gangly but promising centre-back. Those initial West Ham appearances—most notably, Arsenal away—highlighted his credentials as a midfielder, too.

The Gunners were not a bad opponent for Oxford to make his debut here.

Arsene Wenger's men were not interested in closing down their capital neighbours in midfield, preferring to try to lure them into giving it away upfield. It ensured Oxford had more room to breathe fulfilling his instructions.

"The manager asked me to sit and talk to everyone to help get them into position, not to let Arsenal catch us out on the break, to keep it simple and not try to do too much," he told Sky Sports.

It was a good strategy from Bilic, both for the team and the player. Oxford adhered to the request for simplicity.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

The majority of his 94 per cent completed passing, tallied by Squawka, focused on maintaining possession and facilitating his more experienced team-mates. The only thing Arsenal successfully anticipated all afternoon was a more ambitious ball forward, intercepted by Laurent Koscielny.

Defensively, the priority for Oxford was positional.

Going in full-on against players as quick and skilful as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mesut Ozil is asking for trouble. Oxford did not stand off when they crossed paths, but he was largely careful to ensure he did his part maintaining the team's shape against the beguiling Gunners.

Bilic spoke glowingly after and may now wish he had not advertised his then-recently inherited talent so well. Per the Mirror's John Cross, he said:

"

The boy has got everything. Everything. Let's be fair. Ozil had his moments or Cazorla or Ramsey are world class players. It's not easy to minimise their game because they're world class players.

[...] We are a little short in that position and I wanted someone to sit in front of the centre half. He has a presence, he's mobile and quick and he can turn and pass the ball, not just square balls. We have others around making it a lot easier for him.

"

This summer the elegant Oxford has been back in central defence at the European Under-19 Championship. Compared to his run in the role at the European Under-17 Championship in 2015, Oxford unsurprisingly looked better for the confidence boosts of the last year.

His passing looks more purposeful, while the challenges of competing in Premier League midfield battles—where, by and large, space is at a premium—have only improved his all-round awareness.

"

What a win !! Happy to get through to the semi-finals of the euros ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5xleFQDYgp

— Ox (@Reeceoxford_) July 15, 2016"

The Croatia attack barely got a look-in on Oxford's left side in England's 2-1 Group B closing win. His intelligent positioning and assertive tackling (also improved from the aforementioned Under-17 tournament) decisively shut them down.

When Nikola Moro pulled one back in the second half, the defender expressed his frustration at Tottenham's Joshua Onomah for allowing the Croatian to turn him so easily and deny England a clean sheet.

The semi-final vs. Italy was to prove more frustrating for Oxford.

Fikayo Tomori conceded a first-half penalty, which Italy's Federico Dimarco duly converted. After the interval, Oxford was penalised for using his arm to block a shot. The Italian full-back fired in the resulting free-kick as his side went on to win 2-1.

So, could Oxford be joining his England team-mates Onomah and Kyle Walker-Peters at Tottenham anytime soon?

It seems unlikely.

Mauricio Pochettino possibly being interested in a versatile player who left the club long before he arrived is understandable. Centre-back especially remains a position Spurs could perhaps do with reinforcing.

The club already has Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin Wimmer here, as well as Eric Dier, though his future may lie in midfield. Dominic Ball and Cameron Carter-Vickers—part of Spurs' squad for the International Champions Cup—will hope to prove their worth as competitive back-up options, but the prospect of (re-)signing the impressive Oxford would be tempting.

The prospect of West Ham selling to a hated rival seems remote. They are also in much better shape these days, unlike when Scott Parker was begrudgingly allowed to switch following their relegation in 2011.

If Oxford wants more first-team football right now, he is unlikely to get it straight away at Tottenham. Yet if his head is going to get turned by prestige trumping immediate competitive instincts, Pep Guardiola and the more established Manchester City—who have made an official approach, according to Sky Sports News HQ—may be more appealing.

Still, you would have to think Oxford is best served staying put.

Bilic has already handed him chances, and so long as he continues to do the work, he will only get more.

This West Ham side is turning into a potentially strong one, too. The chance to be part of their progression as they make the transition from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium should not be passed up.

If Oxford is as good as the early indications suggest, he will end up where he needs to be.