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Nottingham Forest are reportedly set to sign West Ham United defender Sam Byram on a season-long loan.

The Reds lost Eric Lichaj to Hull City last week and, according to The Sun, they have targeted Byram as a replacement right-back.

It is a position Karanka is understood to want to strengthen this summer – even prior to Lichaj’s departure – with Tendayi Darikwa now the only natural right-back in the squad.

Byram has struggled for regular game time with the Hammers and is said to not feature in new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans.

The 24-year-old joined West Ham in a £3.7m move from Leeds United in January 2016, but has made only 27 Premier League appearances since then.

(Image: Getty)

Last season, he featured 10 times for the club, with half of those coming in the top-flight.

Pellegrini has brought in Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer from Fulham this summer, further hitting Byram’s chances of breaking into the first XI in the upcoming campaign.

Forest boss Aitor Karanka has already made four signings ahead of the new season, bringing in Michael Dawson, Joao Carvalho, Diogo Goncalves and Gil Dias.

The Reds are also understood to be targeting left-back Fabio, who Karanka worked with during his time in charge at Middlesbrough.