Sam Byram in line for Leeds United contract to face Cardiff City amid ‘no surprise’ transfer verdict

It would now be “no surprise” for Leeds United to sign Sam Byram to a contract this week so that he can be in the squad against Cardiff City, according to Beren Cross.

The Leeds Live journalist wrote for the outlet’s website on Monday (31 July) that the defender, who has been training with the club and has featured in preseason friendlies, is “waiting in the wings” for a deal and could well be registered for the season opener on 6 August.

Daniel Farke managed the former Whites youth product at Norwich City and with just Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow so far signed this summer, amid extensive departures, could well be set to turn to his former charge in the coming days.

Cross wrote: “Left-back may need action this week too. Leo Hjelde did well in Scotland and could be well-placed to start this weekend, but with Junior Firpo still on the treatment table, Sam Byram is waiting in the wings for a contract.

“It would be no surprise if the academy product is offered a deal of some description this week in order to be eligible for the Cardiff game.”

Unless Byram has other clubs interested and ready to offer him better prospects going forward then it makes plenty of sense to add him on a short-term deal at the very least.

Farke appears to have been at pains in his public comments to distance himself from the obvious inclination to put two and two together and assume the 29-year-old is set to rejoin the Elland Road squad on an official basis.

But with left-back seemingly doomed to forever be a problem position these days at Leeds United, options are going to be needed and he represents a low-cost one that is easily secured.

Firpo is expected to leave, and hasn’t covered himself in glory in West Yorkshire since his arrival from Barcelona two summers ago, while Pascal Struijk is a stand-in and Hjelde is still just 19.

On the other side Cody Drameh is currently injured and Luke Ayling has had some notable dips in form over the past year so the versatility of Byram would be helpful if Farke believes he has the quality to contribute.

The exits of Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen have thinned the field at full-back, and with the new season’s start steaming ever-closer amid struggles to sign primary targets it looks like a cheap and available option is ready and waiting.