Reece Oxford's loan spell with German side Augsburg did not end on a very good note as they were absolutely humiliated 8-1 by Wolfsburg on the Bundesliga's final day.
The centre back played the full 90 minutes as Augsburg capitulated away from home as Wolfsburg ran riot and as a result, secured their spot in the Europa League next season while Oxford's side ended the campaign in 15th, just one place outside the relegation zone.
The 20-year-old centre back is close to agreeing personal terms on a permanent move to the German side, football.london understands as Augsburg are willing to meet the 4m euro (£3.4m) release clause in his contract.
Oxford has made nine appearances across all competitions for the German side after joining them on loan in January having failed to break into Manuel Pellegrini's first team plans in east London, restricted to 13 appearances for the U23s in the first six months of the campaign.
Augsburg chief details key reason that could stop them signing Reece Oxford from West Ham
He still has two years remaining on his reported £20,000 a week contract he penned on his 18th birthday in the capital after West Ham fought off the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal to keep hold of the centre back, who made his first team debut as a 16-year-old at the start of the 2016/17 season.
Earlier this season, Oxford told the media that he felt he had no future in east London and Pellegrini pretty much echoed that sentiment too as he responded: "He is a player that has already played in the Bundesliga and he has an option to continue improving, going on loan or sell, I think he must do it because he needs experience."
Just this week, Augsburg manager Martin Schmidt admitted the club would like to keep a hold of Oxford, providing he didn't break the bank. Schmidt said: "He certainly has potential to become a big guy," via German outlet Kicker.
"He certainly has qualities, but it must not cost anything, it has to be in the budget."
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The German transfer window opens on July 1 and it is fully expected that Augsburg will announce the permanent capture of Oxford then having sen his career in east London completely fall off a cliff ever since penning his big-money extension in London.
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