Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has confirmed that the club are interested in West Ham United right back Sam Byram.
The 24-year-old has struggled to find form and fitness at the London Stadium since he joined the club from Leeds United in 2016.
And Karanka has admitted he is a player that Forest are monitoring: “It’s always the same, he is one on the list,” he said via Sky Sports Football’s official Twitter account.
“He’s a West Ham player so far so, again, we are not in a hurry. We have another two days to try to buy someone or we have another two, three weeks to try and bring someone along. We have two more places for players on loan.”
Good move for Forest?
Byram would be an excellent signing for Forest if they can secure him. The club only have one recognised right back in the first team squad [Transfermarkt] at present, and Tendayi Darikwa doesn’t possess the attacking threat that Byram does. There is no doubt that Byram has seen his career stall in a major way since moving to East London, as he’s gone from one of the finest young Englishman in the country to West Ham’s forgotten man. He needs a move for the good of his career, and Forest require a player in his position. It’s a no brainer. Whether Byram would arrive on loan or as a permanent signing remains to be seen, but Karanka’s side should be doing all they can to bring him to the City Ground before the transfer window shuts. He says he’s not in a hurry, but he should be.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
There seems to be no place for Byram at West Ham, so you would expect the Hammers to be receptive to Forest’s overtures. The player, too, would surely be keen on the move, having been out in the wilderness at the London Stadium for some time now. It’s unknown whether Forest have made a concrete offer yet, but this one has all the signs of a deal that should get done.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10