Leeds United braced for big-money offers for Taylor

Leeds United's Charlie Taylor (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

West Brom, Bournemouth and Liverpool are heading the interest in the 22-year-old defender who formally asked for a transfer request last month after Whites owner Massimo Cellino accused Taylor of refusing to enter into talks about a new deal.

The defender’s current deal expires next summer but Cellino has previously stated that Taylor will not be allowed to move on until his current contract runs out.

Whites head coach Garry Monk has also insisted that Taylor will still be a Leeds player after the close of this summer’s FIFA transfer window at 11pm tomorrow.

But the prospect of big-money bids from cash-rich clubs in the Premier League could test United’s resolve, with Taylor having been watched by West Brom boss Tony Pulis during Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool, Bournemouth, Burnley, Middlesbrough and Stoke City have also been linked with a move for Taylor who could attract a fee in the region of £8m. United, meanwhile, are continuing to work hard on attempting to bring in further new additions before the close of tomorrow night’s window.

A striker is reportedly top of Cellino’s hit-list, with the Whites known to be interested in young West Ham United forward Ashley Fletcher.

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Fletcher, though, played the full 90 minutes of his side’s Premier Division clash at Manchester City on Saturday and seems an important part of the London club’s immediate plans.

United are also keen to bring in another midfielder but the Elland Road club are heavy on numbers in that department and any new additions may be depend on current squad members leaving.

Midfielder Luke Murphy has been linked with a move to League One club Sheffield United while fellow central midfielder Toumani Diagouraga has previously attracted the interest of Rangers.

Both players are well down Monk’s pecking order at Elland Road and the club could also be open to offers for centre-back and captain Sol Bamba.

Bamba failed to make the United 18 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and the need for defensive strengthening was highlighted by the City Ground 3-1 defeat.

Leeds have picked up four points from a possible 15 and sit fourth-bottom, with the Whites back in action a week on Saturday at home to early Championship leaders Huddersfield Town.