Could Fredericks help hand Sam Byram chance to save West Ham career?

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Sam Byram has reportedly been linked with a move away from West Ham United this summer.

According to a recent report from Football London, West Ham are prepared to sell Sam Byram this summer with a move for the highly-impressive Ryan Fredericks on their radar as he nears the end of his contract at Fulham.

Fredericks provided seven assists from right-back throughout the campaign as the Cottagers booked their return to the Premier League by winning the play-off final. Like many of his teammates however, there is some doubt over where the defender’s future lies.

And while that uncertainty remains, Fredericks seemed to drop a major hint on his future in comments reported by the London Evening Standard as he seemed to suggest that staying with Fulham may be his first-choice option.

“It’s up to the people behind the scenes but I’m sure everyone will want to stay and play at the highest level with Fulham and see what we can achieve,” Fredericks said, as reported by the London Evening Standard. “Can this club allow me to fulfil my ambitions? Of course. You look at the players we’re attracting, like Aleksandar Mitrovic, we’ve already got Premier League players in the Championship so I’m sure we’re going to build again and have many years in the Premier League.”

Fredericks’ comments certainly seem to hint that West Ham need to consider other targets if they want to sign a new right-back – and that may perhaps hand Byram a lifeline.

Football London’s report suggests that any interested side may need to pay £5 million to get Byram’s signature, but perhaps Fredericks staying put may leave new Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini prioritising other areas of the squad that perhaps require more urgent attention.

It is too soon to suggest that the former Leeds ace will be able to turn his fortunes around at the London Stadium completely, but perhaps the door is open for the 24-year-old to prove that he deserves a chance to save his Irons career.

Fredericks may still end up moving on this summer, and may end up moving to West Ham perhaps, but if he does not – as his comments hint – then perhaps Byram needs to look at the situation as his final opportunity to prove himself, especially with Pellegrini’s arrival likely to give many players the chance to work from a clean slate.