Should Newcastle move for the Leeds United man instead of Joe Gomez?
According to a report from Football Whispers, Newcastle United want to sign Liverpool left-back Joe Gomez on loan.
The Magpies reportedly want to bolster their left-back options by bringing in the 20-year-old, but should Rafael Benitez sign Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor in a permanent deal instead?
According to The Birmingham Mail, West Bromwich Albion have cooled their interest in the 23-year-old in a development which opens the door for other Premier League clubs to stake a claim in the highly-rated defender.
Taylor, whose contract expires at the end of this month, has been offered a new two-year deal by Leeds but he is expected to leave Elland Road on a Bosman nonetheless.
With 91 Championship appearances under his belt since breaking into the Whites’ first team in 2015, there is an argument to be made that Taylor, who refused to play United’s last game of the season, is ready for a step up to the big time.
Given he is under 24, the Yorkshire club would be entitled to compensation, but the figures involved would be drastically lower than they would had he got a couple of years to go on his deal.
He has been arguably Leeds’ most reliable player – in terms of a lack of serious injuries and consistent performances – over the past few seasons and Newcastle should snap him up.
While Gomez may be a fine talent, the reality is that the youngster has only played 270 minutes of senior football – all in the FA Cup, against Wolves and Plymouth – since October 2015 following a knee injury.
Whether it’s a loan or a permanent move, signing him represents a big risk for the Magpies and it’s a gamble they can do without as they prepare to return to the Premier League.
Taylor is also a gamble and he is not guaranteed to shine in the top flight, but his talent, combined with a minimal cost, means that signing him permanently makes more sense than bringing in Gomez for a year.
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