Liverpool step-up pursuit of West Ham defender Reece Oxford amid Manchester United interest

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Reece Oxford from West Ham United, having failed with an offer for the 17-year-old last summer. The youngster has refused to extend his contract with the Hammers thus far and is believed to be available for a fee in the range of £10m ($15m) this transfer window.

The Mirror reports that Liverpool are banking on the presence of Jurgen Klopp at the helm who has a reputation of bringing in young talent into the team, will not shy away from giving Oxford a run out with the first team. Manchester United are also interested in the starlet but their bid to sign the player has been delayed by the managerial situation at the club. Louis van Gaal was interested in bringing the player to Old Trafford, but the situation has changed after his sacking, with Jose Mourinho not known for his propensity to give youth a chance.

Oxford came into the picture last season when he put in a solid shift against Arsenal at the Emirates, not allowing Mesut Ozil to pull the strings in midfield. The England U-19 international is known for his versatility and can slot in as a centre-back or play as a defensive midfielder. Oxford wants to get his future sorted before he travels to Mexico with the U-19 team to play in two friendlies before the junior Euros slated to take place in France next month.

The Reds are looking at other options with Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze deciding against making the trip to Merseyide. The 23-year-old was top of Klopp's list of targets for the summer, having worked with him in Borussia Dortmund, but Gotze has held talks with new manager Carlo Ancelotti and wants to give himself another chance to establish himself in Munich. Germany manager Joachim Low is aware of the situation and has backed Gotze to make the right decision.

"We always stayed in touch and discussed his situation. There were offers and enquiries for Mario, but I had the feeling that Mario's heart is in Munich. He wants to stay at Munich for another year and take his chance there," Low said, as quoted by ESPN.