---
title: "Arsenal eye up Byram as Bellerin replacement"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/06/29/arsenal-eye-byram-bellerin-replacement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-06-29T14:54:40Z"
modified: "2016-06-29T14:54:40Z"
---

# Arsenal eye up Byram as Bellerin replacement

Arsenal are believed to be lining up a shock move for West Ham defender Sam Byram should Hector Bellerin return to Barcelona this summer.

According to Italian source [Tuttomercatoweb](https://www.transfermarketweb.com/?action=read&idsel=174943), Byram is on Arsenal’s shortlist for potential additions at right-back as interest mounts in their impressive young defender.

The Hammers only signed the England U21 international in January in a £3.5m deal from Leeds United who were forced to sell as the player’s contract was expiring the following summer and they wanted to cash-in.

Byram is one of the latest player to graduate fully from the Leeds academy and became a mainstay in their first team in the last few seasons making 143 appearances, scoring on ten occasions.

![Christopher Lee/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/06/513015588.jpg)

Due to Slaven Bilic favouring either Michail Antonio or James Tomkins as makeshift right-backs in the second half of last season, Byram was limited to just four appearances for the club but was always earmarked as a signing for the future.

Now, the 22-year-old is said to be a target for Arsenal who fear Hector Bellerin may leave this summer to return to his former club Barcelona should they make a big offer for him.

The La Liga champions want to replace Dani Alves, who has just signed for Juventus, with the 21-year-old La Masia graduate who was called up to Spain’s Euro 2016 squad.