It is safe to say that Charlie Taylor’s future does not lie at Leeds United. He turned ‘Judas’ when refusing to play against Wigan Athletic. However, reports from the Express and Star say that West Brom are set to reopen negotiations for him.
By refusing to take his place on the Leeds United bench for what would have been his last selection in a Leeds United squad, Charlie Taylor cross the football Rubicon at Elland Road. Seeking a transfer away from the club, Academy graduate Taylor ‘turned Judas’ on the club and fans with his ‘self before side’ mentality that day.
Despite handing in a transfer request preseason, Taylor was still very much a part of the Leeds United team, despite obviously wanting away from the West Yorkshire club. Then-manager Garry Monk stated that, as long as he was fit, Taylor would be available for selection. Monk stuck to his promise, Taylor only missing out when injured with an Achilles problem or due to the improved form of Gaetano Berardi.
Premier League side West Brom have been long-time favourites to sign the wantaway Leeds United man, currently they are 1/3 on favourites for the capture of his signature – with Taylor cited as 16/1 to move away from Elland Road.
However, it has also long been known that Tony Pulis does not want to go through the rigmarole of an independent tribunal to fix a fee for Taylor, fearing paying a high price. Earlier in the month, Pulis threatened to pull out of a deal for Taylor saying to the Express and Star: “We wanted to find out what the price was to see if we’d be interested. If it’s going to go to tribunal, we don’t know what the price is and I think that takes us out of the game. You could go to tribunal and they could put an extraordinary amount of money on it and you’re stuck with it. It’s a risk that, at this moment, is not worth taking.”
Initial negotiations stalled at establishing a price both clubs saw as acceptable for the Elland Road left-back, but according to the Express and Star these negotiations are about to start up again in earnest. The newspaper says that “Albion will push for a breakthrough this week” and that the Baggies “want to agree a fee for the young defender before his contract expires next month.”
A successful negotiation between Leeds United and West Brom would be best for both sides because, whichever way you look at it, Charlie Taylor’s time at Elland Road is at an end.
