Mark Hughes shuts down rumours linking Stoke City to Leeds United's Charlie Taylor

The 23-year-old Leeds left back is available on a free transfer this summer, and Stoke had been linked with making a move.

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum in action with Leeds' Charlie Taylor Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum in action with Leeds’ Charlie Taylor

While the future of Leeds United’s out of contract left back Charlie Taylor continues to make headlines, one club who won’t be signing him is Premier League outfit Stoke City, as reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The 23-year-old has made it clear he won’t be staying at Elland Road having had a transfer request rejected at the start of the season, as reports BBC Sport, while the player has also been hit with a two week fine after refusing to play in Leeds’ final Championship encounter, as reports the Daily Mail.

It appears as if West Bromwich Albion are the clear favourites to sign Taylor, having been linked for a very long time, with many expecting to get the Baggies to get the deal done, however West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes that his side face competition for Taylor’s signature, as reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Stoke City will not be one of those teams offering competition, despite the Daily Mail claiming that they were keeping an eye on him, with Potters boss Mark Hughes very blunt in his response when asked if he’d be interested in signing the 23-year-old.

“Charlie Taylor is not a player we are involved in,” Hughes said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “We aren’t looking to pursue anything – he isn’t one of our targets.”

Fleetwood Town's David Ball and Leeds United's Charlie Taylor in action Fleetwood Town’s David Ball and Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor in action