West Bromwich Albion passing on Taylor pays off with Gibbs move

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West Brom refused to go to tribunal for Leeds defender and ended up signing a left-back from Arsenal instead

West Bromwich Albion’s summer long wait to sign a left-back finally paid off at the end of the transfer window.

Manager Tony Pulis had caused some worry earlier in the summer when he backed out of a move to sign Leeds defender Charlie Taylor.

Taylor was rated as one of the Championship’s top left-backs and was available after his contract ran down.

Due to the fact he came through Leeds’ academy, the Whites were owed a development fee which could have been decided by tribunal.

West Brom had tracked Taylor for more than a year but Pulis told the Express and Star they would back out of a deal if they could not agree a fee with Leeds, and would not do a deal if it meant going to a tribunal.

The Baggies backed out and Taylor eventually signed for Burnley, who did go onto agree a £5 million fee with Leeds.

It perhaps looked like a poor decision from West Brom, but their late signing of Kieran Gibbs for just £7 million from Arsenal proved that you can never truly judge a club’s activity until the transfer window is over.

Gibbs is an international level defender when he is on his game, and just lacked faith from Arsene Wenger over the past year who preferred Nacho Monreal instead and signed Sead Kolasinac.

Taylor meanwhile is yet to make a Premier League start for Burnley since moving to the Clarets.

West Brom’s decision may have been a little of a gamble, but their patience paid off as for just £2 million more they have signed a more complete player.