West Brom want to sign Neil Taylor in January – report
West Brom want to sign Middlesbrough left-back Neil Taylor on a free transfer in January to bolster their squad, according to talkSPORT.
The Baggies dropped more points in their push for promotion with a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff, to fall seven points behind top-of-the-league Bournemouth after 25 games played.
Having already completed a deal to sign Daryl Dike from Orlando City to improve their striker positions, it now seems as though Valerien Ismael has turned his attention to other areas of the squad.
According to talkSPORT, the Hawthorns club are interested in bringing Taylor to the club on a free transfer once his contract with Middlesbrough expires in the middle of this month.
The former Swansea left-back has played just once since joining the club in November on a short-term deal and could leave for pastures new.
Back up
Taylor would likely join the club as a back-up option for the left-wing-back role, behind in-form defender Conor Townsend.
West Brom would face competition from the likes of Blackburn, Coventry and Bristol City to get a deal done but their position in the league is likely to help them in the race.
Young defender Taylor Gardener-Hickman recently signed a new contract and Darnell Furlong has been fairly steady as the other wing-back options, so Taylor would likely face an uphill battle in getting into the team regularly.
He would bring great experience to the side though and in a season that is likely to be a tough ride now, that old head could be the difference in the changing room even if not on the pitch.
Whether Taylor would want to be a player who is needed more for his professionalism and experience than actual playing ability is unknown, but if West Brom can bring him in on a short-term deal and it helps them to get back to the Premier League then it’s well worth it for them.
In other West Brom news, Premier League door could open for one top star after contract developments.