As it stands, Leeds United could lose one of their key players on a free transfer this summer.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Ahead of the final few months of the campaign, HITC Sport has compiled a list of the 50 players who are set to be arguably the hottest free agents this summer, and in this piece, we take a closer look at the man set to leave Leeds United come the end of the season.
Charlie Taylor’s departure from Elland Road has seemed inevitable ever since the moment he put in a transfer request last summer (via Yorkshire Evening Post). Despite knowing that his value would diminish considerably over the final 12 months of his deal, the Whites decided to hold firm and hold onto one of the Championship’s most exciting defenders.
With the January transfer window now in the distant past, and with Taylor still a Leeds player, the club have seemingly decided to gamble on a tribunal fee – he is yet another player to come through the youth system at Thorp Arch – rather than let him go when there was clearly money on the table.
The Guardian suggested that three Premier League sides – Middlesbrough, West Brom and Crystal Palace – had bid £7 million for the 23-year-old during the previous window, so it may have surprised some that Leeds did not go down the same path they went down with Sam Byram when his contract was months from expiring last season by selling him while the money was available.
Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor
However, it also appears to make a lot of sense for the Whites hierarchy to take a chance and keep Taylor for as long as possible.
As mentioned, Taylor is one of the brightest defenders in the second tier. Not only is he capable of keeping some of the best wingers in the league quiet, but he also has the ability to get down the line and prove a threat going forward.
And unlike when Leeds decided to sell Byram, Garry Monk’s men actually have something to play for at this stage of the season. They are currently fifth in the table and, despite early season predictions, it would be a major disappointment for the Whites if they failed to finish in the top six, and Taylor could be crucial during the promotion race.
And, while the Leeds hierarchy may still be completely resigned to losing Taylor no matter what happens before his contract expires, perhaps they will be hoping that securing promotion to the top flight will tempt the left-back to reconsider his future and sign a new deal with his current team.
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