Byram And The Henry Factor

As the news broke of West Ham United's potential signing of the Thurrock born 22 year old right back Sam Byram from Leeds United, senior members of the Everton hierarchy will have been reaching for their hip flasks in order to numb the reality that they are facing since the departure of main scout Tony Henry to West Ham United. The Byram Leeds to Everton deal was all done and dusted, but local influence AND Tony Henry put an end to all that! Since Henry's arrival at the Boleyn, the club's recruitment policy can only be described as stratospheric compared with the previous Allardyce ,and his scout Martin Glover, ruled policy. Players like Dimitri Payet would definitely have been on Everton's shopping list, as was Byram, but Tony Henry has gravitas when it comes to player recruitment, he is a friend and associate of super agent Jorge Mendes, who among others represents Ronaldo, Falcao and Di Maria. We are not suggesting that players of that calibre will be rocking up at the Olympic stadium, but Mendes' closeness with all the top teams in Europe means that Hammers have access, and will gain even more access, to a stream of young players on the books of the larger clubs. One of the reasons Everton did so well last season, and why they are doing quite well this season is as a result of the players that Henry helped bring to the club.
Byram has cost West Ham United a paltry (at least in this day and age) £3.75 Million, and will be loaned back to Leeds United for the rest of the season, his signing virtually confirms the departure, back to his Parent club Arsenal ,of Carl Jenkinson at the end of the season. - Ed