West Ham United chairman David Gold believes 16-year-old Reece Oxford has the potential to become a Hammers legend.




Gold revealed on Twitter that West Ham managed to fend of interest from Premier League giants Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in order to keep Oxford at Upton Park.



We had to beat off Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal to keep Reece Oxford on a long term deal. dg pic.twitter.com/ML9XSNeKoh
— David Gold (@davidgold) September 13, 2015


West Ham academy director Terry Westley backed Gold's assertion that Oxford is a star in the making.


“David Gold has said Reece can become a West Ham legend and that is what this place needs," Westley told the Independent.

“We need a catalyst to change it.

“That is why the determination to keep him at 16 was so great. The value of a 16-year-old now is greater than a second-year pro.

“As a club we already had the player. Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal wanted him and the value was ridiculous.

“We have to give them so much so young just to keep them. You haven't got a choice."