Leeds United man set for exit? Norwich, QPR, and Stoke should target free summer switch | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three clubs that should look to sign Sam Byram on a free transfer from Leeds United this summer

Sam Byram has seen his game time at Leeds United fade following their promotion to the Premier League last season, and looks likely to depart the club this summer, as numerous clubs in the EFL will be circling for his signature.

32-year-old full-back Byram first joined the Leeds United academy in 2005, and progressed through the ranks at the West Yorkshire outfit all the way to the first team, making his first-team debut for the club in August 2012.

He became a regular at Elland Road for the next three-and-a-half years before moving to London in January 2016 with West Ham, and since then has spent time with Nottingham Forest and Norwich City, primarily as a backup, before returning to Leeds in 2023.

Byram would act as cover at both left-back and right-back under Daniel Farke in each of his two seasons in the second tier with Leeds behind Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle, making 69 league appearances across those two campaigns prior to promotion.

However, since Leeds returned to the top flight, Byram has seen his game time slashed; with his contract set to expire this summer, and with it looking unlikely that he will sign fresh terms at this stage, FLW has taken a look at three Championship sides that should swoop in for his signature this summer.

Norwich City

Norwich City began the campaign in dismal fashion under Liam Manning, whose tenure in the Carrow Road dugout yielded almost no good memories.

The Canaries found themselves in the relegation zone when Belgian boss Philippe Clement took charge, and since then, they've flown up the table and well away from danger, with a place in the top six looking likelier than one in the bottom three, remarkably.

It cannot be understated just how good a job Clement has done since his arrival, and the board will likely back him heading into the summer, as they did in January, bringing in five new players.

Though this won't mean they will turn down a bargain if one arrives, and Byram could be a perfect fit back at Carrow Road.

Although he spent the bulk of his three years at the club on the periphery, he proved to be a valuable backup option, and now, at 32, is an experienced head who knows what it takes to get a side out of the division.

Harry Amass was signed on loan from Manchester United in January to offer cover at left-back, though injury has ruled him out for much of the season, with Ben Chrisene and Kellen Fisher covering at left-back in that time, with the ageing Jeffrey Schlupp also out; it's likely a new body will be needed in that area.

Norwich squad.

Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers' season looked full of promise at one stage under Julien Stephan, with a spot in the top six looking like a real possibility for the West London outfit.

Unfortunately for them, a downturn in form has meant that a play-off place now seems unlikely, with another year in the Championship beckoning barring an incredible run of form between now and the end of the campaign.

Heading into the summer, left-back Rhys Norrington-Davies will return to Sheffield United from his loan spell, with no signs yet that it will be made permanent, leaving Brazilian youngster Esquerdinha and the long-injured Ziyad Larkeche as the club's only two other options at left-back.

Amadou Mbengue remains the club's first-choice right-back, with Jimmy Dunne operating there on occasion, as 23-year-old Kealey Adamson is yet to be trusted.

Therefore, recruits at full-back will be likely, and someone like Byram could be a perfect option at Loftus Road.

With ample experience and having spent time in London before, the 32-year-old would take little to adapt to life at QPR, and on a free transfer, there will be fewer options than him in the summer at that price and for that quality.

Stoke City

Stoke City, like QPR, have seen their season fizzle out, with yet another mid-table finish the most likely outcome for the Potters.

Few clubs have spent as much time in the top six as Stoke this season, spending more days there than the likes of Ipswich Town, Hull City, and Southampton.

With the club now as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top six, it's a telling display of how volatile the Championship can be, and how a dip in form can see a side plummet down the standings.

Injuries haven't helped their case, with each of Junior Tchamadeu, Eric Bocat, and Aaron Cresswell, each of the club's recognised full-backs, having all spent time in the treatment room.

This has meant that each of the recognised centre-backs, Bosun Lawal, Makysm Talvovierov, Ben Gibson, and Ben Wilmot, has had to deputise at right-back and left-back across the campaign, with even the league's joint-top goal contributor, Sorba Thomas, being forced to play right-back on occasion.

One or two more bodies will be needed there over the summer, especially with Aaron Cresswell now 36 and out of contract at the end of the season, whilst Bocat has been consistently linked with a return to Belgium.

Byram would be an excellent cover option at both right-back and left-back, with boss Mark Robins likely valuing his experience and versatility, whilst allowing the centre-backs to remain in their preferred positions.