Toffees front up Manchester City for Leeds youngster

Everton and Manchester City are set to battle it out for the signing of highly rated Leeds youngster Sam Byram. The Sun suggests that David Moyes is ready to go head to head with Roberto Mancini, having earmarked the 19-year-old as a priority in this upcoming transfer window. It is imagined that the Scot would have to utilise the promise of first team football as bait in any negotiations, as the Merseyside outfit quite frankly can’t compete with City in economic stakes.

The progression of Byram has been in a rare highlight in another fairly turgid season for the Yorkshire outfit. Byram, recently named as player of the year by the official supporters club, has appeared in every Championship game this season, winning plaudits for the way he nullified the threat of Gareth Bale in a famous FA Cup triumph. The youngster, who moved to the region at the age of 1, has grown up as a Leeds fan and has been praised for his desire to improve and willingness to critique his own performance levels.

New manager Brian McDermott has been vocal in his insistence that the Essex born full back will not be leaving Elland Road this summer. McDermott told reporters that ‘Sam leaving is not something that has crossed my agenda, for me the best place for Sam is Leeds.’ Although admirable, one may feel this stance to be a mere smoke screen to impress fans, as in reality £10million in the transfer kitty would greatly enhance Leeds’ chances of promotion next season.

Michael Dobson

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