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Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka has admitted his closing in on signing a right-back and it's believed West Ham defender Sam Byram is the player he is close to signing.

The 24-year-old has failed to establish himself as the number one right back in east London, having been brought to the club in January 2016 from Leeds United, another club he has been linked with.

However, Forest's name has come to the fore in recent days and their Spanish manager has already made ten signings so far this summer and is now supposedly closing in on an 11th in the shape of Byram.

Karanka said, via our friends at the Nottingham Post: "You never know. Of course if nothing else happens, beyond the right-back, we will be covered.

"We are still trying to find a right-back now, but we need to sign the right one, in the same way as we have done in every other position. The right-back spot is important."

(Image: West Ham United FC/West Ham United via Getty Images)

West Ham signed Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer from Fulham this summer after the expiration of his contract in west London after scouting the defender several times last season.

The Hammers also have Pablo Zabaleta on the books for the upcoming season as he enters the final year of his current deal in east London.

Byram has made two appearances in pre-season so far for the Hammers but was not involved for the 2-2 draw at Deepdale against Preton North End last weekend.

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