OPINION
As Sam Byram is reportedly facing an exit from West Ham the club should look to upgrade the right-back by swooping for Manchester United’s Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The current 24-year-old right-back is reportedly facing an exit as it was previous claimed at the tail end of May by Team Talk editor James Marshment that the Hammers would transfer list him.
The trusted journalist made the claim via his own personal Twitter account and even shared that the London-based Premier League side wanted a fee of around £3.5million to part company with his services.
West Ham expected to confirm Sam Byram has been transfer-listed and will seek a fee of around £3.5m.
Former Leeds man contracted at London Stadium until 2020.
Not really gone well for him down there….— James Marshment (@marshyleeds) May 23, 2018
Byram managed to feature only 10 times for the Hammers in the 2017/18 campaign with injuries seriously derailing any chance of success he had.
However after making a grand total of 36 appearances for the side since joining in 2016, it seems a wise decision to let the right-back go as according to Spotrac he earns £30,000-a-week.
The fullback has never looked truly comfortable at the club and if the Hammers can receive a boost to their transfer kitty from his sale then they should seize the opportunity with both hands.
Aside from raking in the cash from selling a star who is clearly surplus to requirements, the Hammers should upgrade Byram by swooping for a better younger model in the form of Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The 20-year-old Manchester United defender proved his Premier League chops in the 24 outings he made for Crystal Palace in the 2017/18 season while on loan at Selhurst Park.
Fosu-Mensah’s versatility, he can operate as a centre-back or defensive midfielder if needed, and knack for winning his tackles would see the Hammers’ current shaky defence instantly improved.
It seems likely that Jose Mourinho won’t give him his deserved opportunity at Old Trafford, the Portuguese boss tends to steer away from taking risks on young talent, which could see him be available again.
It’s even possible despite Fosu-Mensah’s long contract, it expires in 2020, that the right bid could tempt Man United into wrongly selling their underrated talent.
Manuel Pellegrini therefore could hit a homerun by waving goodbye to Byram and seeing Fosu-Mensah arrive from Old Trafford, one way or another, as he is not only better, he’s younger too.
