Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that he would like to re-sign West Ham loanee Sam Byram, The Nottingham Post reports.
But O’Neill has conceded that Byram might want to stay at West Ham. Byram is set to return to West Ham for pre-season. And he could try to break into the first-team.
O’Neill admits Byram’s future is uncertain but Nottingham Forest will face a battle to sign him if he wants to stay with the Hammers.
Martin O’Neill on Sam Byram
O’Neill told The Nottingham Post: “I think Sam has done fine for us, yes. He is going back to West Ham and I don’t know how that situation is unfolding there.
“Pablo Zabaleta has just signed a new contract there and they have the young lad, Ryan Fredericks, as well, who used to be at Fulham. He is a nice kid, who has done exceptionally well.
“I do not know what Sam’s precise position is. I have only discussed it with him, in three or four sentences. But I think he might think that, now he is properly fit, West Ham might be for him. But we will see.”
Does Sam Byram have a future at West Ham?
Byram joined West Ham from Leeds United in January 2016. But injuries have held back his progress so far. Byram has struggled to nail down a permanent place at right-back.
Last summer, the 25-year-old was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest. He impressed before suffering a seven-month injury to really hamper his chances of earning a West Ham reprieve.
Byram returned towards the end of this season and ended his spell with eight appearances to his name. Nottingham Forest fans rate the Thurrock-born defender highly.
But whether he can compete with Zabaleta, Fredericks and Ben Johnson remains to be seen. Nottingham Forest will surely be keeping their tabs on his situation at West Ham.
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