Football League World
·30 January 2024
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·30 January 2024
Leeds United remain interested in a deal to sign Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
It has been a rather quieter window for the Yorkshire side, something that probably wasn’t expected at the start given the money in the bank from sales during the summer and the position they are in in the league table.
It was a slow start to the campaign for Leeds, but they soon found their grove under Daniel Farke, and that has continued in recent weeks and months as they have closed the gap on the top two.
Farke’s side are now sitting in fourth place in the Championship with 57 points, having won their last four league games. They are now just two points adrift of second-place Ipswich Town, having played a game more than the Tractor Boys.
So, Leeds are in a strong position going into this next part of the season, but there are still one or two areas of weakness for the club, and the left-back role seems to be one of them.
The left-back role was an area that Farke did try and solve during the summer transfer window, with it even being claimed after the close of it that he was looking at possible free agents who can play in that area of the team.
Leeds are fully aware of Charlie Taylor as the defender came through the club’s ranks and was a strong member of their first team until leaving to join Burnley in 2017.
During the summer transfer window it came to light that Leeds were interested in re-signing their once left-back.
It was then claimed that Leeds did pursue a move for Taylor, but they were unable to get a deal over the line for the 30-year-old.
Now, a few months down the line, Leeds are still targeting a new left-back and Taylor, along with Everton’s Ben Godfrey and Burnley’s other full-back, Conor Roberts, are options the club are looking at, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
As mentioned, Taylor left Elland Road in 2017 as the Clarets snapped up the defender on a free transfer.
Since moving to Turf Moor, Taylor has been a constant presence in the team, as he’s helped the club survive in the Premier League before being promoted from the Championship like last season.
The defender was a key part of the club’s success last season, as the Lancashire side comfortably secured promotion on the first try.
The 30-year-old has continued to be important, as for the 16 Premier League games he has been available for this season, he has started all of them.
Taylor is out of contract at Burnley at the end of this campaign, so the Premier League side could be tempted to sell should they receive a decent offer.
Leeds are obviously keen on adding to their left-back position before the close of this transfer window, but Taylor may not be their solution.
The defender is still very much a key part of Burnley’s first team this season, as Vincent Kompany has continued to rely on him when available.
Therefore, Taylor may be wise sticking with the Clarets until the end of this campaign and then deciding what he wants to do next, as if Burnley do stay in the top flight, he could potentially earn a new contract at the club.