SLAVEN BILIC says signing Sam Byram shows he is already planning for next season.
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| West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is already planning for next season |
West Ham boss Bilic netted full-back Byram yesterday in a £3.7million deal from Leeds.
But he admits the Essex-born 22-year-old will have to wait for his chance in claret and blue.
“He is more for us for next season because at the moment we have Carl Jenkinson and Arsenal said at beginning of season it’s his last season with us,” said Bilic
“So we started looking to fill that gap. He [Byram] came now and it is only a plus, but I can’t tell you now when he’s going to play.”
The Hammers fought off Everton for his signature but Bilic says the Toffees were not the only side circling.
“It happened very quickly but we didn’t react on Everton - we been tracking him for a long time,” he added.
“There wasn’t only Everton, there was a few clubs. But we jumped in when we heard other club were interested.”
Bilic has also revealed what he said to convince Byram that joining the Hammers was the right call.
He revealed: “I told him that I like young players and my opinion about him and in which areas and he can improve.
“He liked it and I don’t promise him anything, no guarantees. He liked that we were watching him for quite a long time and were serious and had big plans for him.
“It’s up to him to show us what he can do. It was a very simple talk and he decided to join. I think it’s a good move for him.
“He’s home-grown, young and with experience of playing in Championship. We're planning for next season but he’s a good player now.”
Bilic also admitted strikers Nikica Jelavic and Mauro Zarate could be on their way out, with Zarate close to sealing a switch to Fiorentina.
He said: “There are a couple that may leave the club – maybe Zarate, maybe Jelavic.
“If that happens then we’re going to try and get one striker. It looks quite close that he’s [Zarate] going to Fiorentina."
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