EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

West Ham United attacker Marcus Browne is in talks with Oxford United over a loan move, Football Insider sources understands.

Browne is set to find himself down the pecking order in new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans next season with West Ham bringing in a number of attacking reinforcements and they feel Browne would be best served to go out on loan again.

A number of Football League clubs have expressed an interest in taking Browne on loan for next season, but a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Oxford are leading the race for his signature as Karl Robinson is determined to bring him to the Kassam Stadium.

Browne is highly-regarded at West Ham having come through the ranks at the club from the age of eight.

The 20-year-old made his West Ham first-team debut during the 2016/17 season when he played Astra Giurgiu in a Europa League qualifier and he has been named on the bench for several games.

The attacking midfielder had a spell out on loan at Wigan during the second half of the 2016/17 campaign, but made only one brief appearance during his time at the Championship club.

West Ham’s management, led by Manuel Pellegrini, want Browne to go to a club where he can play regularly and gain valuable first-team experience before returning to the London Stadium to challenge for a spot in the starting XI.

They regard him as a future first teamer.