Leeds United ready bid to complete controversial Charlie Taylor signing after Elland Road anger
Charlie Taylor was once upon a time a revered figure among the Leeds United faithful.
A local-ish lad (Taylor was born around 50 minutes away in York) done good.
Taylor was a graduate of the Leeds academy and became a regular and popular figure in the first team, making the left-back spot his own.
But sometimes even the best stories turn sour and that was the case between Taylor and the Leeds supporters back in May 2017.
Then Leeds boss Garry Monk claimed Taylor refused to play in the season finale 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic (Sky Sports).
Taylor was out of contract and the rumour mill was rife that he would depart Elland Road, which he did with a move across the Pennines to Burnley.
Some six years later, the Athletic (6 July) reporter Phil Hay says Leeds are considering bringing Taylor back to the club.
“Defensively, Leeds require a left-back having decided to listen to enquiries for Junior Firpo,” he wrote.
“They have been repeatedly linked with Ryan Manning, who is on a free transfer after parting company with Swansea City, and they are pondering bidding for Burnley’s Charlie Taylor, the defender who came through the academy at Elland Road.”
From the club’s point of view you can totally see the rationale. Left-back has been a problem area for some time and, frankly, Junior Firpo has only exacerbated the problem, he has never come close to solving it.
But, if a deal is to be done, you get the sense there will have be an element of remorse and contrition shown from Taylor for the way he handled his exit.
There’s nothing wrong with showing ambition – it was after all a move to the Premier League – but there are better ways to depart than refusing to play a game.
Some Leeds fans may not like the idea of bringing Taylor “home”, but then again they might be won over by the thought of a proven performer coming in to fill a gap in a problem area.
Let’s see how this one plays out.
In other Leeds United news, Brenden Aaronson’s loan exit from Elland Road could be completed in days.