OPINION
Leeds United must attempt to re-sign Sam Byram from West Ham in the summer transfer window if Paul Heckingbottom and director of football Victor Orta want to improve the full-back options at Elland Road.
The Telegraph has reported that Bryam, 24, has been transfer listed by the Hammers after just two years in London as he has failed to make much of an impact on the first team.
It is understood that new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is preparing to clear out a number of his players in the summer and Leeds must pounce on the chance to re-sign the right-back, especially as their current full-back options are not good enough.
While Luke Ayling is a decent player, he has not been as good for the Whites as Byram was when he made a total of 143 appearances across all competitions in his time at Elland Road.
Leeds’ other right-back Gaetano Berardi has has major issues with discipline and cannot be trusted to help see out of a season.
The 29-year-old was sent off three times this season and missed 10 games through suspension.
Although he is somewhat of a cult hero at Elland Road, there’s no room for sentiment and the club must bin Berardi in favour of bringing back Byram, who clearly has a lot of quality that he has been unable to put on show at West Ham.
Statistics website Spotrac reports that Bryam earns £30,000-a-week with the Hammers, but as he is available for transfer he will surely take a step down to the Championship in order to play regular first team football and lowering his wage demands must come with.
It promises to be a big summer for Leeds, and they can really get the fans excited for next season by welcoming Byram back to West Yorkshire.