Leeds reject Charlie Taylor transfer request

Leeds United have confirmed they have turned down a transfer request from defender Charlie Taylor as they frantically attempt to keep the 22-year-old from leaving Elland Road. Taylor is reportedly subject to interest from a host of clubs including Liverpool and Newcastle United but despite having less than a year remaining on his deal the Championship side are determined to keep their prized asset.

The Liverpool Echo understand the Reds had turned their attention to signing Taylor after giving up on acquiring Ben Chilwell from Leicester City. Newly-promoted Premier League duo Burnley and Middlesbrough are also interested in a potential £5m move, as well as Toon boss Rafael Benitez who is monitoring Taylor's future according to The Guardian.

But Leeds have attempted to end the interest of both Liverpool and Newcastle, among others, by issuing a statement announcing they have rebuffed Taylor's request to leave and stating their intention to keep the player as his contract runs into the final 12 months. Manager Garry Monk and owner Massimo Cellino have no plans to allow the player to leave and that shows no sign of changing.

"Further to recent speculation regarding Charlie Taylor, the club can confirm that a transfer request from Charlie was received over the weekend," a statement on the Leeds website read. "Garry Monk and Club President Massimo Cellino agreed at the start of the transfer window that Charlie would not be sold and, therefore, the transfer request has been formally rejected.

"The Club has every confidence that Charlie will continue to conduct himself properly and play his part this season as the Club pushes towards the top of the Championship. The Club will not make any further statement on this matter."

Not going to let him go

Cellino has taken exception to the tactics employed by Taylor and his agent Colin Pomford, who have refused to consider fresh offers from Leeds over a new contract. The move has swelled interest from Liverpool and Newcastle, and the Italian businessman has become frustrated by the stance taken by Taylor.

"I'm very disappointed with the way he has acted," Cellino told The Mirror. "We are not going to let him go. Trust me! For almost one year, I've been trying to get him to sign a new contract. The agent is the same as Sam Byram's. But I promise, even if we lose him at the end of the season for free, I'm not selling him."

Liverpool are eager to reinforce their full-back area after Alberto Moreno suffered an indifferent first campaign under Jurgen Klopp, though the Spaniard is expected to begin the new season as first choice. Newcastle meanwhile are eager to nail down their squad for their first season back in the Championship, with Benitez having so far focused on improving a backline which shipped 65 league goals last term.