Burnley have had their eye on the Leeds United star since at least April 2016.
Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor is expected to sign for Burnley when his Elland Road contract expires this week, the Lancashire Telegraph reports, ending more than a year-long pursuit by the Clarets.
Sean Dyche’s team were also linked with a move for Taylor during last summer’s transfer window, but were unable to strike a deal with then Leeds owner Massimo Cellino.
Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor [right]
However, it appears Burnley’s interest stretches back even further than that, with a former Whites boss alluding to it as early as 14 months ago.
“It’s really interesting that most, if not all the people I was talking to at Burnley were raving about Charlie Taylor afterwards,” Steve Evans told BBC West Yorkshire Sport after the two sides’ meeting in April 2016, which Leeds lost 1-0 at Turf Moor.
“We thought he got forward with a real purpose, his quality of his delivery on Saturday was back to where Charlie Taylor is at his best and the one he puts onto Chris Wood’s head is all bar a goal. The quality of the cross is stunning.”
Taylor’s performance appears to have left a lasting impression on Dyche and his staff, who had been linked with a move for Hull City’s Andrew Robertson instead, but now look set to benefit from the uncertainty of other interested parties, notably West Bromwich Albion, regarding Taylor.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche
The Baggies are also said to be long-term admirers of the Leeds academy product, but were seemingly put off by the prospect of a tribunal hearing, which would leave the Yorkshireman’s transfer fee out of either club’s hands.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
