Byram joined West Ham from Leeds back in January 2016.
West Ham United defender Sam Byram is reportedly closing in on a move to join Championship side Nottingham Forest, less than three years after leaving Leeds United – but the Whites simply do not need him.
With Forest expected to sign the 24-year-old on loan – according to The Sun – it would have come as no surprise to see Leeds linked with a move to lure the Thorp Arch academy product back to Elland Road.
However, Marcelo Bielsa’s new side have simply outgrown Byram, who starred at right-back and on the right of midfield during his 143 league and cup appearances for the Yorkshire giants.
Indeed, the Whites have plenty of options at right-back, with Luke Ayling currently first choice and the promising prospect of youngster Bryce Hosannah in the reserves. But it is Lewie Coyle’s development that will have seen Leeds forget about a move for Byram.
Coyle, 22, was loaned to Fleetwood Town last summer for the 2017-18 campaign, and missed just four league games as he turned out 42 times for Joey Barton’s new side.
He starred in the Trawlermen’s campaign, helping them avoid a relegation scrap as they finished in a comfortable 14th place. Indeed, Coyle won the Players’ Player of the Year award at Fleetwood.
With six assists in 48 outings in all competitions, Coyle showed he is more than capable going forward but just as robust defensively and is just another example of Leeds’ excellent youth academy.
The rise of Coyle, then, shows just why Leeds may have opted against a move to lure Byram back to Elland Road. Bielsa simply does not need Byram, with the club boasting a player that instead has more potential than the West Ham outcast.
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