Leeds United transfer update as Charlie Taylor chased amid search for full-back – Phil Hay
Phil Hay thinks Leeds United are still attempting to sign another full-back before the window shuts and has said to “keep eyes” on Charlie Taylor.
The Athletic journalist said on The Square Ball Friday (18 August) that after missing on out Max Aarons the Whites were likely to attempt a further deal for a defender, particularly on the left side, and ex-Elland Road man Taylor is the one he believes the focus will be on.
Sam Byram is one of the four signings Daniel Farke has made so far this summer, but fellow ex-Norwich defender Aarons got as far as a medical at Thorp Arch before Bournemouth swooped to sign him, while Taylor has been linked 29, despite the somewhat controversial exit he made in 2017.
Hay said of Taylor (29m 45s): “I think they’ll try and do another full-back. Keep eyes on Charlie Taylor at Burnley because they have been looking at him…
“It wasn’t as if Taylor was forcing his way out of the club [in 2017], he was a game away from being a free agent and so he just didn’t want to get himself injured…
“I look at Taylor and think he’s just a very good left-back in the Championship.”
Go for it
With Junior Firpo, somehow, still the only specialist left-sided full-back in the Leeds United squad it seems obvious that a signing should be made at the position.
The former Barcelona man is characteristically injured at the moment anyway, and while Byram has stepped in for Leo Hjelde of late his own fitness record is less than sparkling.
Left-back has been a priority for a string of windows now, just as a central striker has been, but for one reason or another neither have adequately been addressed.
If Taylor is available and can help steady the ship at Elland Road for an affordable price then the majority of Whites fans aren’t going to be focused on how he left the club the first time around.
There are less than two weeks remaining now before the deadline so if the club are going to succeed in replacing some more of the many exits this summer they are going to need to get it done soon.
Premier League loans just before the deadline might be an option, but with the number of new signings still stuck on four as players continue to leave the fanbase is understandably feeling edgy.
In other Leeds United news, a £30m transfer boost has been claimed as a Whites chief has finally broken his silence over the current issues.