Ex-Everton, Liverpool transfer target on why he snubbed pair to join another EPL side

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Sam Byram has revealed why he decided to sign for West Ham United during the January transfer window.

The young full-back has been linked with a move to both Everton and Liverpool in recent weeks, with both Roberto Martinez and Jurgen Klopp understood to be taken by the right-sider’s qualities.

Indeed, the former Leeds starlet appeared to be on the brink of a move to Goodison Park after the Championships side agreed terms with the Toffees, only for Byram to reject a switch to Merseyside in favour of a move to West Ham [The Guardian].

Byram eventually signed for the East London outfit on a four-year deal, with a fee understood to be in the region of £3.7 million.

As Everton attempted to save face after missing out on the player—with Martinez claiming he wasn’t the “right player for us”—Byram made his debut against Manchester City at the weekend.

Speaking to The Guardian, he’s revealed exactly what attracted him to West Ham…and a former Everton hero was clearly influential!

“There were a number of things [that led to him joining West Ham],” he began. “I spoke to the manager [Bilic] and I really like the way he spoke about the club and how he likes to play and how he could improve me was the main thing.

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“As a young player the main thing you want to do is get better. He’d identified the areas he thinks I can improve on and explained how he would help me improve on them.

“Then there’s the Olympic Stadium. The quality of players in the squad. In training I’ve been blown away by some of the things some of them do in training.

“Stepping up to this level is only going to make me better. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

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