28 Dec 2015

Deal Accepted? Liverpool close to signing 'unbelievable' £10m star who's 'like' Gareth Bale

Earlier this year, Liverpool were linked with a summer move for Leeds United full-back Sam Byram, and new reports over the weekend suggest that Jurgen Klopp also covets the 22-year old defender.

In April, reports claimed that Brendan Rodgers personally scouted Byram (rated in the £10m range by Leeds Chief Massimo Cellino), and according to the Daily Express on Sunday:

"Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Sam Byram. Jurgen Klopp has sent scouts to watch [Byram]".

Byram recently refused to extend his contract, which has enraged Cellino, who told reporters this week:

"When I [heard] that a player [Byram] thinks that Leeds is not big enough for him, that he wants something bigger, I felt really embarrassed."

Despite his ire, Cielo is allegedly willing to sell, with the Express claiming:

"Cellino...will accept the Reds' offer in January to avoid losing him [Byram] on a free in the summer".

Some info about Byram:

* Started as a midfielder but now plays predominantly at right-back (and can play RWB, and right midfield).

* 19 goals/assists in 126 games for Leeds.

* 2013: Won two 'Player of the Year' awards.

* Recently admitted that he wants a move to the Premier League: "I'm looking to improve, to physically get stronger and faster, and being in the Premier League...would be the dream."

* Ex-Leeds boss Neil Redfearn claims Byram is comparable: "He [Byram] has unbelievable ability. I remember Gareth Bale coming onto the scene and looking like something similar. Sam has got that sort of ability"

Urgh. More totally unhelpful overpraise. But I digress...

Liverpool definitely need cover at full-back, and whilst £10m for a Championship defender with zero Premier League experience seems expensive, it's chicken-feed next to Manchester United's ludicrous £28m fee for Luke Shaw.

Byram also appears to have the right attitude to personal development, insisting that it's 'better to be over-critical than brush mistakes aside', which (IMO) is the right mental approach for a footballer.

If these reports are true, then it looks like Byram could be Liverpool's first signing of the transfer window. A good deal?

Author: Jaimie K


0 Comments:

Post a Comment