Sam Byram is being lined up by Everton boss Roberto Martinez, despite the Goodison club’s insistence that the Irishman is not for sale.
According to Andy Hunter in the Guardian, Leeds United’s right-back has been on Everton’s radar since 2013, when David Moyes was in charge.
However, Leeds chairman Massimo Cellino has slapped a £8 million pound price tag on the 21-year-old academy graduate, which could stop any sort of deal happening, and force the Toffees to look elsewhere for value for money.
Roberto Martinez is in the market for a young right-back as rumours surrounding Coleman intensify, however the Everton boss is keen to keep the Irish full-back at Goodison Park.
Since breaking into the Leeds United first team, Byram has made a total of 108 appearances at Elland Road.
In 37 Championship appearances last season, Byram scored three goals and assisted one. He made an average of 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per match, and had a pass completion rate of 76.8%.
Coleman made 34 Premier League appearances last campaign, scoring three and assisting two. His defensive stats were worse than Byram’s with 1.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions respectively. However the 26-year old Irishman had a better passing rate of 83.5%.
Recently, the Leeds defender was quoted to saying he was “ready to fight for promotion” with the championship outfit, who are now under the guidance of former Brentford and Wigan boss Uwe Rosler.
The Daily Mail also reports that Southampton are tracking the right back, with Nathaniel Clyne close to sealing a move to Liverpool. Sunderland have too shown interest.
