West Ham oust Everton as favourites to sign Leeds United's Sam Byram

The 22-year-old met with Everton on Sunday to discuss a move and undergo a medical, but the Hammers will beat their Premier League rivals for the talented youngster’s services.

A promise of first-team football has swayed Byram’s decision, with Leeds owner Massimo Cellino confirming reports that West Ham’s bid was lower than the £3.7m offered by Everton.

Cellino said: “Yes, West Ham is less.”

The defender, who missed the 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, trained with Leeds yesterday.

Byram’s contract expires at the end of the season. There seems to be no hope of Leeds and the right-back agreeing new terms, which means a transfer in this window remains the obvious likelihood.

The Thorp Arch graduate is also thought to be interesting Newcastle United, although there has been no bid from the North East side.

Middlesbrough look to have missed out on the loan signing of Patrick Bamford.

He spent a successful season at the Riverside Stadium and there was hope that they could bring him back to the club on loan for the rest of the campaign.

However, Queens Park Rangers seem to have stolen a march on them to secure Bamford’s addition. The 22-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan with Crystal Palace.

Moving to Selhurst Park was regarded as the next stage in his development after a successful season with Boro, in which he scored 17 goals in 39 games.

The Teesside club narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League, losing the play-off final to Norwich.

Bamford struggled for first-team appearances at Palace and returned to parent club Chelsea. He is available on loan after spending time back at Stamford Bridge training with the Under-21s and Boro were one of several Championship keen to sign him.

Carlisle United have made a bid for Bradford City midfielder Gary Liddle, who worked with current Blues manager Keith Curle in 2012 at Notts County.

Curle said: “Gary Liddle’s a player that I’ve worked with before. He’s got excellent attributes so we’ve made an enquiry.”