Leeds United: Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has already told Sam Byram where he must improve

Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has revealed how he and his scouting team had been watching Byram for ‘a really long time’ and that he was ‘delighted’ to have finally got his man.

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The United Academy product has joined the London Premier League club in a deal worth £3.7m after failing to agree a new deal with Leeds owner Massimo Cellino.

Byram has been a star player for United during his time in the first team, but Bilic has already pinpointed areas where the 22-year-old can improve his game... and has told him so.

The West Ham manager also confirmed that Everton and West Ham were not alone in their chase for the player.

Bilic, whose West Ham side entertain Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday evening, said: “We have been tracking him (Byram) for a long time and there was not only Everton interested in him, but a few other clubs, too.

“According to the TV, he was quite close to signing for Everton, but we knew we had a good chance and we are delighted that he came to us.

“I told him that I like young players and I told him my opinion and which areas he can improve and he liked it.

“I didn’t promise him anything, but what he really liked is that we had been watching him for a really long time and he realised that we were serious and that we have big plans for him, but it is up to him to show us in training and in games his improvement.”

Byram is expected to train with his new club for the first time on Friday.