Leeds United transfer pursuit of Charlie Taylor return from Burnley ‘doomed to fail’ – Phil Hay
Leeds United were “doomed to fail” in their attempts to bring back Charlie Taylor this summer due to reasons outside their control, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist reported on the outlet’s website on 6 September that the left-back was impossible to sign from Burnley because Vincent Kompany’s side didn’t “have the cover to let him go”.
Left-sided full-back is therefore named as one of the few positions left in Daniel Farke’s squad where the transfer window has potentially left him short, with midfielder Jamie Shackleton left filling in for the goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (2 September).
Hay had tipped Taylor, 29, who left Elland Road six years ago to join the Clarets, as a potential signing at the position more than once during the summer but the interest in a return ultimately proved futile.
Frustration
If a club isn’t minded to sell then there is little that a buyer can do other than put money they can’t refuse on the table, which was something that was beyond the Whites for most of the window.
Another campaign with Junior Firpo as the senior specialist at the position won’t inspire a huge amount of confidence, but it looks like the former Barcelona man will get the chance to finally overcome a rocky two years at Leeds United.
Sam Byram’s return has proven to be a boost on the pitch, but his, as with Firpo’s, questionable injury record has already come to the fore.
Taylor’s controversial exit six years ago when he was accused of refusing to play by then-manager Garry Monk [Sky Sports], would have likely been overlooked by fans if the hadn’t remained at Turf Moor and was able to provide a long-awaited answer at a problem position for the Whites.
Kompany has only given him one appearance so far this season in the Carabao Cup, but has used three other names on the left of his defence so far in the Premier League.
That might suggest he could have afforded to let Taylor, who made 33 league appearances in the Championship last term but doesn’t look like getting close to that in the top flight, leave.
But only the Belgian will know what he needs to in his squad to make him feel comfortable with his options so, for now at least, it is a move that got away from Farke and Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope has issued a “cruel” verdict after an under-pressure Whites ace was spotted “absolutely disconsolate” by a BBC colleague.