West Brom advancing in deal to sign Southampton FC star before 7pm | OneFootball

Albion are advancing in talks to sign Saints full-back Charlie Taylor.

West Brom are advancing in talks to sign Southampton defender Charlie Taylor on loan.

This is according to Daily Echo reporter Alfie House, who has reported that the Baggies are lining up a deal that should get over the line by the 7pm deadline.

The Express & Star reported earlier today that Albion were in the market for a left-back addition to provide cover and competition for Callum Styles, and Taylor seems to be the preferred option.

It appears a move that will work out for all parties, given Taylor is in need of gametime after making the matchday squad just once out of the Saints’ first four league games.

West Brom closing in on Charlie Taylor loan deal

According to journalist Alfie House, West Brom are advancing on a deal to sign full-back Charlie Taylor.

The deal would be on a strict loan basis for the remainder of the season, with Taylor in need of regular minutes as he heads into the final year of his deal on the South Coast.

The 31-year-old is believed to be traveling to the West Midlands for a medical as a signing aims to get finalised before the deadline, with the Baggies adding much-needed depth and experience to the left-back area.

Express & Star reporter Lewis Cox had reported that a left-back addition was a priority on deadline day for the club as they close in on another loan capture in Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa, who, incidentally, can also play at left-back, but is viewed as a more attacking option in Ryan Mason’s plans.

But Taylor, who boasts more than 100 appearances at second-tier level, adds an extra layer of grit and steel to an already revamped backline, which has seen the additions of Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham, George Campbell, Alfie Gilchrist, and Krystian Bielik over the course of this summer.

Charlie Taylor adds extra experience to an impressive West Brom defence

While it won’t be the most glamorous addition in the world, Charlie Taylor is an experienced figure who will add further guile to an already solid defensive outfit.

Callum Styles has been left unchallenged for a starting spot since joining the club due to the lack of impact from Gianluca Frabotta prior to the Italian’s exit, and Taylor will be hunting him down for a starting spot as he still has a lot left to prove after falling down the pecking order at St Mary’s.

There has been an objective at West Brom to add more and more leaders to the group, and Taylor definitely has that quality in abundance, as Ryan Mason looks to make his team difficult to break down over the course of this Championship term.

While the signing does appear a bit underwhelming to those connected with Albion, it could be a very important one to cementing a tight ship and ensuring the club won’t be conceding many goals over the next 42 games, which will be crucial to any promotion push forming.