West Ham United have been linked with the soon-to-be free agent.
According to a recent report from the Telegraph, West Ham United are planning a summer swoop for Manchester City right-back Bacary Sagna, but what could that mean for current Hammers player Sam Byram?
The 23-year-old has struggled for regular game time since arriving from Leeds United – in part due to injury – but he is at an age where he will understand the importance of regular first-team football.
Byram certainly has the talent to excel at the London Stadium. However he will only play second fiddle for so long, and if Sagna does arrive as a free agent in the close season, that is only going to put another hurdle in the younger player’s way.
At 33, the Frenchman is approaching the end of his career, yet he still has plenty to offer the right club and West Ham would not be signing him as anything other than a first-choice option.
His arrival could allow Byram to learn from another experienced full-back, having previously trained with Alvaro Arbeloa, or it could see the former head out on loan for a year to get regular top flight football before returning finally ready to fulfil his potential the following summer.
Only time will tell, but West Ham’s alleged pursuit of Sagna suggests that however highly Bilic rates Byram, he does not yet see him as the finished article.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
