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UPDATE: Media is reporting that West Ham United are trying to sneak in ahead of Everton by offering the player a starting XI spot. The Hammers have supposedly offered Leeds United a cash-plus-two-players bid for the defender whose contract expires this coming summer. Further reports also state that Aston Villa are also in for Byram
Talks between Everton and the player and his management are scheduled for Sunday.
Sam Byram and Everton now scheduled to have formal talks on Sunday. Still the only bid accepted as it stands. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) January 15, 2016
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Multiple sources are now reporting that Leeds Utd have accepted a transfer bid from Everton for full-back Sam Bryam.
I understand that an offer has been accepted by #Lufc from #EFC for Sam Byram although the deal is not yet finalised.
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) January 14, 2016
BBC reporter Adam Pope tweeted the news about Everton's bid on Thursday evening, though stressed that the deal was not yet completed.
This was later followed up with a Tweet by Paul Joyce from the Daily Express, who is usually very reliable when it comes to Everton news.
Everton have bid accepted for Sam Byram at Leeds. Fee starts at £3m.
— paul joyce (@pjoyceexpress) January 14, 2016
Byram has already rejected the offer of a new contract at Elland road and with his present deal expiring in the summer Leeds are keen to cash in him now rather than wait for a tribunal to set a fee for him in the summer.
If Byram's move to #EFC is confirmed #Lufc lose their most experienced player in a Leeds shirt. 143 appearances is 50 more than Luke Murphy.
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) January 14, 2016
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino was believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £5million for the 22-year-old though several sources are now claiming the Everton's bid is in the region of £3million with add-ons.
Everton's need to recruit a right-back has become more urgent following an injury to Seamus Coleman against Man city last week.
Youngster Tyias Browning is out for the season with a knee injury while veteran Tony Hibbert also hasn't featured this season because of a knee problem, leaving Everton short in that area.
Byram as emerged as one of the most highly-rated young players in the Championship in recent years and his attacking instincts would also make him a natural deputy to the Ireland international.
A number of other clubs have been linked with the young defender including Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa though reports claim Byram preferred a move to Goodison Park.
The transfer has moved a step closer with news of this bid being accepted, though it seems there's still a few details to be sorted out before he becomes Everton's third signing of the January transfer window.