Steve Evans is in no doubt that Leeds United are a bigger club than West Ham United, but he insists given the Whites' current predicament he understands young stars being attracted to the Hammers.
Leeds lost one of their brightest talents to West Ham earlier this week when they sold right-back Sam Byram to Slaven Bilic's men.
Byram had refused to extend a contract due to expire in the summer and as such the Whites opted to cash in on the 22-year-old rather than risk a tribunal setting a fee in the summer; the defender has also realised his dream of playing in the Premier League in the process.
Leeds legend Eddie Gray has argued while the Whites remain in the Championship they will continue to lose their best and brightest. Evans does not entirely agree, though he does think Leeds' current position means West Ham have the upper hand even though he does not consider them to be a bigger club.
Speaking on LUTV, Evans said: "I saw some interesting words from Eddie Gray – Eddie said it will always be the case until we're in the Premier League [that players will leave]. I’m not going to fall out with the legend at all, but what I would add to that is the little caveat, if we’re challenging for [promotion to] the Premier League players won't want to leave this football club.
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"Who's the biggest club, West Ham United or Leeds United? West Ham supporters will be sending in emails in their droves. There's only one answer to that, who's the biggest club [question].
"But you are where you are in football, so at this moment in time West Ham United is a real attraction to any young player who wants to play in the Premier League", Evans continued.
"So it should be, quality manager, great owners, I know one of them particularly well, so from that point of view we have to be challenging on the pitch for a place in the Premier League."
Leeds currently find themselves sitting in a lowly 17th spot in the Championship table, while Byram may make his debut for West Ham against Manchester City in the Premier League this coming weekend.
