Leeds United to lose cash in West Ham Byram deal as chief confirms Everton snub

LEEDS UNITED have accepted a lower transfer fee from West Ham than what Everton were willing to pay for defender Sam Byram, according to reports.

 

 Byram is expected to leave Leeds by the end of the transfer window

 

Byram, 22, held talks with Everton and he appeared set to complete a £3.7million transfer to the Toffees this week.

But the Hammers have hijacked the deal by offering the right-back an immediate role in Slaven Bilic's back four.

"I’m really sorry for Everton because they really acted like gentlemen, but Sam chose West Ham," Leeds owner Massimo Cellino confirmed.

 

According to the Daily Star, Bilic's promises of first-team football overrode Roberto Martinez's reputation for bringing on young talent into Everton's first team.

Leeds and West Ham are expected to complete the deal by the end of the week.

 

But it has also emerged that the Hammers will not stump up the same fee Everton were willing to pay.

As part of Leeds' agreement with Everton, the Premier League side would have paid a further £1.3m in add-ons and bonuses for Byram, bringing the overall fee to around £5m.

It is not known exactly how much West Ham are prepared to pay for Byram, although Leeds know they can earn around £2m in compensation if their academy product leaves on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.