Leeds United: West Brom step up quest to finalise Taylor transfer

WEST BROMWICH ALBION will step up their quest to sign Leeds United left-back Charlie Taylor this week in a bid to land the defender without the need for a tribunal.
Charlie TaylorCharlie Taylor
Charlie Taylor

Taylor’s contract at Leeds expires at the end of June and the defender’s Elland Road exit has been on the cards for some time. The left-back rejected United’s offer of a new contract last summer and swiftly handed in a transfer request which was rejected.

The defender then refused to play in United’s season finalé at Wigan Athletic this term and West Brom have long been favourites to seal the 23-year-old’s signature.

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Albion are keen to strike a deal with Leeds as soon as possible and avoid the need for a tribunal in the event that Taylor’s contract has expired.

Tony PulisTony Pulis
Tony Pulis

The Whites ensured their right to gain compensation for the left-back by offering the defender a new deal earlier this month which Leeds do not expect Taylor to sign.

But United’s offer will guarantee a fee when Taylor joins another club this summer.

United are entitled to compensation due to Taylor being under the age of 24, but were required by EFL rules to propose a fresh deal matching his current salary.

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The Leeds Academy graduate has been given a month to respond to the offer made on May 17 but West Brom hope to seal the defender’s signature well before then.

Garry MonkGarry Monk
Garry Monk

The Premier League club spoke with Leeds about Taylor earlier this month and are set to return for further talks this week with new owner Andrea Radrizzani now that the Italian has full control of the club having bought out former co-owner Massimo Cellino.

But Radrizzani’s primary concern is on appointing a successor to former head coach Garry Monk who resigned from his role last Thursday.

Speaking about the possibility of signing Taylor earlier this month, West Brom boss Tony Pulis said: “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.

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“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.”

Tony PulisTony Pulis
Tony Pulis

Speculation over Pulis’s own future as West Brom boss has had no effect as yet on Albion’s approach to the summer transfer window.

Taylor was fined two weeks’ wages by Leeds over his decision not to travel to a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic on May 7. Monk had intended to play the left-back but Taylor informed the head coach that he had been advised not to risk his fitness ahead of a summer transfer.

The York-born footballer joined the club as a nine-year-old and would leave United having made 98 starts and 104 appearances in total.

Stoke City and Liverpool have also been credited with recent interest in the defender.