Middlesbrough are trying to complete a deal to sign West Ham defender Sam Byram despite him already being in talks with Nottingham Forest over a potential loan move, according to the Daily Mirror.
The national newspaper’s live transfer blog (Thursday, 11:28) claims that Tony Pulis’ side have entered the race for the Hammers right-back who earns £30,000-a-week at the London Stadium (Source: Spotrac).
The Mirror report that Forest manager Aitor Karanka was confident about securing Byram’s services earlier in the week but Boro’s last-minute move may see the Hammers defender seal his exit from the club one way or another.
OPINION
It seems the two Championship rivals are about to go head-to-head over signing Byram as Boro have tried to hijack his potential move to Forest. The 24-year-old made only 10 appearances for the Hammers last season and Manuel Pellegrini will no doubt encourage him to seal his exit from the London Stadium as soon as possible in order to get his career back on track. Byram’s Hammers career has seen him spend a lot of time on the sidelines due to injuries and he needs regular football under his belt in order to get back to his best. However it seems the 24-year-old now has two suitors to choose from when it comes to picking his team for the 2018/19 campaign. Given that Forest clearly lack a right-back then perhaps Byram should lean towards joining them. The 24-year-old will no doubt be able to establish himself as Karanka’s first-choice option and could soon be seen regularly delivering the goods in the Championship.
