Currently sidelined by an Achilles injury, there has been much speculation regarding the future of left-back Charlie Taylor. That speculation will mount, no doubt, after a story by the Guardian from this evening.
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has said that wantaway starlet Taylor, who handed in a transfer request before the start of the current Sky Bet Championship season, has seen interest in him from three Premier League sides rebuffed by Leeds United.
The sides in question are Premier League trio West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace who have all had £7m bids turned down by the Whites for the left-back who has made that position his own at Elland Road.
The Guardian’s Aarons said that the trio of “Premier League sides are looking to strengthen their options at left-back and believe the 23-year-old is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.” However, the rebuffed bids from the top-tier trio shows the resolve of Leeds United and boss Garry Monk who has gone on record as saying that nobody will be leaving Elland Road in the current window.
The York-born defender came through the ranks at Elland Road and, since taking over after Stephen Warnock left for Derby County, has made 97 appearances for Leeds United, 22 of them in this season’s Sky Bet Championship campaign. Over this near-century of appearances, the marauding left-sided defender has scored three goals and provided 12 assists.
It is this dual skill-set, an ability to defend at the back and get forward down the flanks, that has no doubt brought in the suitors from the Premier League, with £7m representing a big amount for Leeds United to turn down.
However, despite being offered and turning down a new contract, it appears that Charlie Taylor will be seeing out the season at Elland Road. Should he not sign a contract, Taylor will be available on a free transfer, although there will be a fee decided by an independent panel due to his age – the fee being due to Leeds United.
