Newcastle United have turned their transfer attention to the Championship and Leeds United right-back Sam Byram, according to reports. Football League World claim that the Magpies have pinpointed Byram as their new "primary target", with a Leeds "club insider" confirming the interest from Newcastle. The report claims that Newcastle sent scouts to watch Leeds draw 1-1 with Burnley at Elland Road, a match in which £8 million-rated Byram played. A 21-year-old right-back, Byram has also been linked with Newcastle's bitter rivals Sunderland, as well as Everton, this summer and he is one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Football League. Extremely attacking, with a desire to get forward at every opportunity - a trait both Steve McClaren and Ian Cathro love in a full-back - Byram made his Championship debut during the 2012-13 season and has continued to improve ever since. So keen to attack is Byram in fact that he has even been played as a right-forward at Leeds, and that is where he started some pre-season games in Uwe Rosler's new 4-3-3 formation at the club. In total, Byram has made 120 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, scoring 17 times - as well as being booked on 15 occasions, and red-carded once. Last season, the full-back played 39 times and scored three goals for The Whites. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
