Royal Blue Mersey - Everton close to signing Sam Byram from Leeds UnitedIt's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2016-01-17T15:22:35+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/105344792016-01-17T15:22:35+00:002016-01-17T15:22:35+00:00Byram completes medical, Everton to announce signing tomorrow<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/FourthOfficial_/status/688736704275083264">Byram completes medical, Everton to announce signing&nbsp;tomorrow</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Everton were scheduled to have talks with Sam Byram today - looks like the player has passed his medical at Finch Farm and the signing will be formally announced tomorrow.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/1/17/10782418/byram-completes-medical-everton-to-announce-signing-tomorrowCalvin2016-01-15T13:11:43+00:002016-01-15T13:11:43+00:00Sam Byram Scouting Report<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.squawka.com/news/scouting-report-what-can-sam-byram-offer-the-premier-league/573714">Sam Byram Scouting&nbsp;Report</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Everton target and current Leeds United defender Sam Byram was December's Championship Player of the Month - read on for more about the lad.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/1/15/10774662/sam-byram-scouting-reportCalvin2016-01-14T18:45:19+00:002016-01-14T18:45:19+00:00Leeds accept Everton bid for Sam Byram - report
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<p><i><b>UPDATE:</b> 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</i></p>
<p><i>Talks between Everton and the player and his management are scheduled for Sunday. </i></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sam Byram and Everton now scheduled to have formal talks on Sunday. Still the only bid accepted as it stands. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lufc?src=hash">#lufc</a></p>
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilHayYEP/status/688033814426304512">January 15, 2016</a>
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<p>Multiple sources are now reporting that Leeds Utd have accepted a transfer bid from Everton for full-back Sam Bryam.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I understand that an offer has been accepted by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lufc?src=hash">#Lufc</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash">#EFC</a> for Sam Byram although the deal is not yet finalised.</p>
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) <a href="https://twitter.com/APOPEY/status/687702189683421184">January 14, 2016</a>
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<p>BBC reporter Adam Pope tweeted the news about <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> bid on Thursday evening, though stressed that the deal was not yet completed.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Everton have bid accepted for Sam Byram at Leeds. Fee starts at £3m.</p>
— paul joyce (@pjoyceexpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/pjoyceexpress/status/687707969925038081">January 14, 2016</a>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Byram's move to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash">#EFC</a> is confirmed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lufc?src=hash">#Lufc</a> lose their most experienced player in a Leeds shirt. 143 appearances is 50 more than Luke Murphy.</p>
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) <a href="https://twitter.com/APOPEY/status/687706325481041922">January 14, 2016</a>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>Everton's need to recruit a right-back has become more urgent following an injury to <span>Seamus Coleman</span> against Man city last week.</p>
<p>Youngster Tyias Browning is out for the season with a knee injury while veteran <span>Tony Hibbert</span> also hasn't featured this season because of a knee problem, leaving Everton short in that area.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/1/14/10770082/leeds-accept-everton-bid-for-sam-byram-transfer-rumoursTom Mallows2016-01-12T22:57:08+00:002016-01-12T22:57:08+00:00Roundup of Everton Transfer Rumors
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<figcaption>Havard Nortveit will be out of contract this summer. | Stuart Franklin/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the news around today regarding Everton Transfers</p> <h5>
<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> Preparing £3million bid for Sam Byram</h5>
<p>Everton is apparently preparing a bid at around £3 million for Byram, although apparently below the target Leeds United had set at £5 million this window. The player is leaving in the summer when his contract expires so Leeds don't have much leverage, but surely they will hold out as long as they can hoping to get the best offer.</p>
<p>It's not so much will Byram go, but where and when. His manager has wished to keep him as Leeds has won several games recently, but the team would hate to lose him without getting some return. I think a sale happens, but we'll have to see if Everton will go far enough.</p>
<h5>Everton Looking at Havard Nortveit</h5>
<p>A strong midfielder currently playing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach is seen as a future replacement in the mould of Gareth Barry. Strong in the air and only 25-years-old he would make a strong group with <span>James McCarthy</span> and Muhamed Besic.</p>
<p>His contract is also up this offseason and Everton is looking to the player to agree to a pre-contract during the window. While never reaching the first side team he does have some experience in England playing for the U-21 <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> side, but was then loaned out several times before leaving on a free for the Bundesliga. He has impressed there with 3 goals in 14 league games this season and winning 60% of his aerial duels and an 81% pass accuracy during that time.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/1/12/10756780/everton-transfer-rumor-round-up-sam-byram-for-3-million-pre-contract-withTroyPatterson2016-01-08T08:49:41+00:002016-01-08T08:49:41+00:00Everton Could target Sam Byram at Right Back
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<figcaption>Matthew Lewis/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Leeds United owner makes known that the right back is for sale.</p> <p>Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has announced that 22 year old right back Sam Byram is being made available to buy during the January window. The player has six months left under contract and has made it clear he will not be re-signing with the Championship side currently sitting at 13th in the table.</p>
<p>Not only will <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> face competition from their cross town rivals, but also West Ham and Norwich have shown interest in the youngster. His valuation is around £3 million depending on the source, but it's unlikely any team wins by outspending, so likely comes dow to team, situation and promise of playing time.</p>
<p>Two days ago I would have called this a close race, but with the injury this week to <span>Seamus Coleman</span> and Tyias Browning already out for the rest of the season do to surgery, I think Everton can make the best offer with regards to immediate playing time. That's not to say he starts 90 minutes right away, but a rotation of <span>John Stones</span> and a returning <span>Phil Jagielka</span> at right back would do well with Byram spelling them as well.</p>
<p>Byron has played in 129 games for Leeds since 2012 and has added 3 goals in his 21 games this season. He plays both right back and some midfielder as well and would make good cover for Coleman once he's healthy and still see time in rotation in midfield.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/1/8/10734496/everton-and-liverpool-sam-byram-leeds-transfer-rumoursTroyPatterson2015-11-11T11:19:56+00:002015-11-11T11:19:56+00:00Toffees linked with two Championship defenders
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<p>The Daily Mail reports the Toffees are looking at Championship defenders Michael Keane and Sam Byram</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>The British newspaper, the Daily Mail today reported that <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> will be looking to the Championship for defensive cover this January.</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The newspaper reports that <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> are to make another attempt to sign <span>John Stones</span> when the window reopens and Michael Keane could be the man to replace the composed centre-half.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>According to the Mail, the Blues have been watching the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc" class="sbn-auto-link">Burnley</a> man and his developing calmness on the ball is impressing <span>Roberto Martinez</span>. </span><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Swansea City</a> were also rumoured to be interested in the 22-year-old.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Everton are also supposed to still be interested in the £6million-rated Sam Byram, however after the Leeds right-back rejected a new contract, the Toffees are unwilling to pay full price.</span></p>
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<p><span>Byram is a name we’ve heard before, being linked with a move to Goodison, </span><a href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/9/17/9342145/roberto-martinez-reinforce-right-wing-transfers-sam-byram-everton" target="_blank">as Calvin wrote for us a few months ago</a>.</p>
<p>With around seven weeks to go until the window opens again expect more rumours to emerge in the coming days. It is hardly surprising that Stones has been linked with a move again, but given Chelsea's desperate start why would he want to move to a club that appears to be in disarray?</p>
<p>With Burnley pushing for promotion they will be unwilling to lose one of their key players at such a crucial stage of the season, so next summer would be a more realistic time for any bid. Expect Leeds to fight hard to keep Bryam at Elland Road too, meaning these rumours should be taken with a huge dose of salt.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/11/11/9710158/burnley-michael-keane-leeds-united-sam-byram-everton-january-transferseanferguson2015-09-17T14:00:03+01:002015-09-17T14:00:03+01:00Roberto interested in Sam Byram
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<p>Blues could be busy in January</p> <p>It might only be September but it's never too soon for <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> to start looking at areas where the squad can be bolstered. While the left side of defence has been plagued by injury recently, the right has not been spoken much of and that is where <span>Roberto Martinez</span> could be casting his glances.</p>
<p>Birthday boy Sam Byram has seen a bad injury put the brakes on what could have been a high-flying career. The wingback is currently <a href="https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Leeds United's</a> longest serving player, having started in the youth ranks at the age of 16. He first hit the radar of Premier League clubs in 2012-13 when he broke into the United first team, leading to a call-up to the England U-20 squad.</p>
<p>He ended up sweeping the board at the end of the season awards for the West Yorkshire club, winning Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and the Supporters' Club Player of the Year Awards. Byram was also named as one of Sky Sports Football League Players to watch out for in the Football League.</p>
<p>However a prospective £8 million pound move to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> in the summer fell through following a hip injury, and Leeds signed the wingback to a new three-year contract that will expire this coming summer. The hip injury continued to plague him the coming season as well, and he played in just 27 games.</p>
<p><a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Southampton</a> made an attempt to sign the player in the 2014-15 season, but their £4.5 million bid was rejected as United under Neil Redfearn attempted to keep the core of the club together. New manager <span>Uwe Rosler</span> has also mentioned Premier League interest in the player in this just-closed <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors" class="sbn-auto-link">transfer window</a>.</p>
<p>The youngster's style of play has been compared to that of Real Madrid's Welsh international Gareth Bale. Byram's running power from the full back position and his playmaking ability from deeper areas has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, including <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Swansea City</a>, <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a> United and Everton. Kop boss <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> has reportedly sent scouts to watch him in action more than six times, but rumours of a £8 million deal haven't seen the light of day. Everton have scant cover for <span>Seamus Coleman</span> at the right back position and could also be involved in the conversation for the young Englishman.</p>
<p>Toffees will remember Byram from his key role for Leeds in the pre-season friendly the day before Duncan Ferguson's testimonial when the player assisted in the opening goal, before narrowly lobbing over Joel's bar in a 2-0 win. Byram is currently lining up as a right forward as Rosler attempts to showcase his talents, but new contract talks have been derailed by Premier League interest and Leeds could attempt to sell to the highest buyer come January. The player could do worse than look at the Everton setup where youth like <span>John Stones</span> and Brendan Galloway have been given opportunities to <a href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/9/15/9329911/brendan-galloway-everton-new-contract" target="_blank">develop in the youth sides</a> and are plying their trade at the highest level now.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/9/17/9342145/roberto-martinez-reinforce-right-wing-transfers-sam-byram-evertonCalvin