Leeds United: Hammers move quickly to seal a deal for Byram

Sullivan said “everything was in agreement” over Byram’s switch to Upton Park as the 22-year-old full-back travelled to London for a medical yesterday. (Jan 19)

Byram has rejected a move to Everton in favour of an offer from West Ham following talks with both clubs over the weekend.

Everton bid £3.7million for United’s former academy player but Leeds owner Massimo Cellino claimed he had accepted a “much lower” offer from West Ham after Byram made it clear that he wanted to move to London.

Sullivan said West Ham had originally intended to recruit Byram when his contract at Elland Road expired in June but the club had been forced to put an immediate offer together as Everton closed in on the signing on Sunday.

Sullivan told Sky Sports News: “We hoped to sign Sam Byram in the summer when he was out of contract at Leeds but in the last few days it looked like he was going to Everton.

“We realised it was now or never so we had to pitch in and attempt to sign him.

“Hopefully that will go through in the next 24 hours. Everything is in agreement with him and the club.

“I would not normally say this but the Leeds chairman has made it public.”

Speaking on Monday night, Cellino said: “West Ham’s bid is much lower than Everton’s. I don’t control the player. He wants to go, he decides when and where.”

Byram’s exit will bring to an end a first-team career at Leeds which began in the summer of 2012.

The Thurrock-born youngster emerged unheralded from the club’s academy and won United’s player-of-the-year award at the end of his maiden season.

He went onto play more than 140 times for the club, making his last appearances as a substitute in the recent FA Cup clash with Rotherham United where the Whites beat old boss Neil Redfearn’s side 2-0.