Leeds United wanted to sign Charlie Taylor from Burnley last season, and with his contract expiring this week, he is set to join newly-promoted Southampton on a two-year deal.

The Whites have been linked with a host of players already this summer, off the back of missing out on promotion straight back to the Premier League.

Southampton were the final side to confirm their return to the top flight, beating Daniel Farke's side in the playoff final at Wembley a month ago.

Then of Burnley, Taylor was into the final year of his Turf Moor contract, and Leeds eyed a potential cut-price deal before eventually placing their faith in Junior Firpo to keep fit.

Are you happy with Red Bull investing in Leeds?Now, with Taylor 12 months later into his career, he looks all set to seal a permanent transfer away from Bunrley just days before his contract officially comes to an end.

He is heading to the side that beat Leeds at Wembley, Russell Martin's Southampton, as Alfie House relayed reports: Saints close to finalising the free signing of out-of-contract Burnley defender Charlie Taylor, 30.

As @MirrorAnderson reports, two-year deal for the left-back who made 28 Prem appearances last season.

- Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) June 28, 2024 Taylor a shrewd free agent signing for Southampton Leeds could have done with someone like Taylor adding to their depth in the same way Sam Byram has, but a Premier League offer is impossible to compete with.

Taylor is good enough to compete at top flight level, and Southampton have a shrewd signing there to bulk up their defence.

It is a harsh dose of reality that we're being dealt by the promoted clubs' business this summer, something we were one game away from enjoying ourselves.

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