Leeds United were unable to complete a deal for Charlie Taylor in the summer due to Burnley’s inability to find a replacement.
That is according to Phil Hay of the Athletic, who says Leeds’ pursuit of Taylor was ‘doomed to fail’ due to Burnley’s lack of cover at left-back.
Leeds had been keen to bring in a new left-back in the summer with Taylor and Luke Thomas their two reported top targets.
Thomas came onto the Whites’ radar in the final week of the window with Hay reporting Leeds had made two loan enquiries for him until Sheffield United swooped in and took him to Bramall Lane.
Taylor, meanwhile, was mentioned as a target by Hay early on in the summer and while that interest was there throughout, he remains a Burnley player.
Leeds didn’t sign Taylor due to Burnley’s lack of cover
Taylor has found himself out of the side for much of Vincent Kompany’s time in charge, with loanee Ian Maatsen having replaced him as first choice during their Championship title winning campaign.
Burnley tried all summer to bring Maatsen back to Turf Moor and even saw a £31.5 million offer accepted on deadline day, but the young Dutchman opted to stay at Chelsea.
Taylor is currently the only recognised left-back at Burnley but has not yet made a single matchday squad for any of their three Premier League matches.
Had they signed a replacement, it is likely Burnley would’ve allowed Taylor to go but clearly they spent too much time trying to pursue Maatsen, which has left them short.
It is frustrating for Leeds that they were unable to bring Taylor back to Elland Road but at the same time, they should’ve had other targets as well.
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