Watford FC urged to beat Hull City to Southampton transfer agreement | OneFootball

FLW's Watford fan pundit discussed the club's interest in Southampton defender Charlie Taylor

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Championship play-off hopefuls Watford have been encouraged to pip Hull City in the race for Southampton left-back Charlie Taylor, who is poised to return to the second-tier on loan in the remaining days of the current transfer window.

The Hornets have made just one addition in what has been an extremely difficult month for Tom Cleverley's side, who have slipped to ninth in the league table after winning just one of their last seven Championship matches.

Cleverley will need further recruits to supplement the loan arrival of Udinese defender James Amankwah if he is to guide Watford into the top-six, and a new left-back appears firmly on the wishlist ahead of next Monday's deadline.

Watford have been linked with a move for ex-PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa, who has been a free agent since last summer following his exit from the reigning Ligue 1 champions. Their reported interest in Kurzawa has emerged following links to Southampton's Charlie Taylor.

Watford FC join Hull City in transfer race for Southampton's Charlie Taylor

Last week, it was reported via Sky Sports' Transfer Centre that Hull have an agreement in place with the Premier League strugglers to acquire the defender on loan until the end of the season.

However, Taylor is said to be contemplating his next destination amid interest from a number of Championship clubs including Watford, who have reportedly made a verbal approach to Southampton. The 31-year-old only joined Southampton last summer after leaving Burnley following seven years of service, but has found regular game time hard to come by on the south coast.

Neither Russell Martin nor new boss Ivan Juric have shown much faith in Taylor, who has made seven Premier League appearances and just two starts for the bottom-placed strugglers. He would, however, bring a wealth of experience and know-how to Watford's backline, having previously established himself as a top-flight regular with Burnley before helping the Clarets to promotion from the Championship under Vincent Kompany in the 22/23 season.

Taylor is a known presence in the second-tier courtesy of stays with Leeds and Burnley, with his experience clearly an attractive factor. His versatility could well be too, as he is capable as either a left-back or in central defence.

Watford FC urged to beat Hull City to Southampton's Charlie Taylor

FLW asked our Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie, if he believes Taylor would represent a solid temporary addition for the remainder of the current season.

Justin is eager to see his side beat off competition from Hull to land Taylor's signature, believing the experienced left-back would be the answer - at least on a temporary basis - to Watford's long-standing issues in that area of the pitch.

"Watford have been deficient in this position for a long time, and bringing in Charlie Taylor with his experience would be a great thing," Justin told FLW.

"We desperately need a left-back and that would be a really solid addition for the remainder of the campaign.

"If this is going to happen, it needs to happen soon as the transfer window closes imminently, but we could definitely do with somebody like Taylor in the team if we have any chance of pushing towards the play-offs this season."