Mancini exit could scupper Byram deal with Leeds

The threat of City making a multi-million pound offer for United’s prized asset appears to have receded following the announcement of Mancini’s dismissal late on Monday night.

The Italian coach was among Byram’s many admirers and had monitored the 19-year-old throughout the second half of the season with a view to submitting a bid for him during the summer transfer window.

But Mancini’s time at Eastlands was unceremoniously ended in the aftermath of City’s defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final, increasing the likelihood of Leeds retaining Byram for the 2013-14 Championship season.

The teenage right-back was the stand-out player in United’s recent campaign, playing 53 times in his first year as a professional and claiming a clutch of awards last month.

Leeds tied him to a contract until 2016 in January but Byram’s consistent form has attracted the attention of a number of established Premier League clubs – and ones who are heading into England’s top tier this summer.

Cardiff City – recently promoted as Championship title winners – made an initial enquiry about Byram as they edged towards a top-two finish.

But the Welsh club are not expected to meet United’s valuation, believed to stand at £8million.

West Bromwich Albion’s Steve Clarke is another manager with an established interest in Byram, though the West Midlands club might also find the cost of recruiting Byram too steep.

City, in contrast, have ample funds with which to force a sale through but Mancini’s sacking a year after he took the Premier League title to Eastlands could ensure that Leeds keep hold of their gifted and intensely popular defender.

United manager Brian McDermott warmed to Byram quickly after taking charge at Elland Road last month, insisting that Leeds could not afford to lose Byram at a time when the academy-produced player was displaying so much potential.

McDermott said: “He’ll get better and he’ll improve at Leeds, there’s no doubt about that.

“He’s a Leeds boy – the fans love him, the staff love him, the players love him.

“From our point of view, my point of view, absolutely 100 per cent I would expect Sam to be playing for us next season.”

Byram turned professional less than 12 months ago and was not expected to figure significantly in the 2012-13 term but he became a fixture in United’s line-up at an early stage of the season and was ever present until a hip injury forced him to miss the final two league matches against Brighton and Watford.

The problem was minor and Byram is due to begin pre-season training with the rest of United’s squad on June 27.

Talking last month about outside interest in him, Byram said: “It’s nice to hear that Premier League clubs are interested in me, just because it shows that I’m doing a good job here, but personally I’ve really enjoyed playing at Elland Road.

“The best way to learn is by playing games and the new manager’s been unbelievably encouraging with me.

“I like his style of play and I’m really happy.”

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