West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has stated that his side would rather do a deal with Leeds United for Charlie Taylor than go through a tribunal.
The 23-year-old, whose deal with Leeds is set to expire this summer, has come in for heavy criticism after refusing to turn out for the Whites in their last game of the season against Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
Leeds have not taken the matter lightly and have already opened disciplinary proceedings against the West Brom and Liverpool target, fining him two weeks wages.
Despite being a free agent this summer, West Brom will have to pay a sum for Taylor as he is still 23 years old.
If Leeds and West Brom fail to agree on a compensation fee, then the matter will go to a tribunal.
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And Pulis, who admitted that Taylor has been on the Baggies’ radar for quite some time, insisted that his side would prefer dealing with Leeds over going through a tribunal for the defender.
“I think there are a lot of clubs interested in Charlie Taylor, we are not the only club interested in him”, Pulis said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“Obviously he has been on our radar for a bit, but it could go as a tribunal one.
“I think our club would rather try and do the deal with Leeds, if we do it.
“Still there’s a lot of air in that bag before anything is achieved.”
It remains to be seen if Liverpool now step up their interest for Taylor, with the Reds also being in the market for a left-back.
