West Ham investigating theft of Reece Oxford’s watch at training ground

West Ham are investigating the theft of a watch belonging to Reece Oxford from their Chadwell Heath training ground.

Both the club and Police launched investigations after the watch, thought to be an 18th birthday present to the Hammers defender from his mother, was taken while the youth team players were training at the West Ham academy base.

A club statement read: “The club is aware of an allegation of theft at our Academy headquarters in Chadwell Heath.

"We are treating the matter extremely seriously in line with internal protocol and co-operating fully with a Police investigation.”

Oxford, who made his West Ham debut against Arsenal in 2015, has been training and playing with the U23s so far this season and could well leave the club in the January window with first-team chances under Manuel Pellegrini looking slim.

The 19-year-old, who has previously had loan spells with Reading and Borussia Monchengladbach is likely to leave on a permanent basis if there is any deal as he remains on a hefty £20,000-a-week.