Confirmed: Leeds star man will not be sold this window
By Alex Stevens
Leeds have rejected a transfer request from left-back Charlie Taylor, the club announced on Tuesday evening.
Radio Yorkshire presenter Joe Rawson claimed on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday morning that Taylor's agent had formally communicated the player's desire to quit Elland Road on Sunday night.
Leeds released a statement later in the day to confirm that the transfer request had indeed been submitted but said it had been rejected and the 22-year-old would not be sold this summer.
"Further to recent speculation regarding Charlie Taylor, the club can confirm that a transfer request from Charlie was received over the weekend," the statement on the official 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."
Taylor's transfer request will have alerted a number of Premier League clubs who have been closely trailing the 22-year-old.
Leeds' reigning Player of the Year has just 12 months remaining on his Elland Road deal and Cellino has admitted the player is not interested in renewing his contract with Monk's side.
But the club appear determined to hang on to the academy graduate until at least the January window, which is when they sold his former team-mate Sam Byram earlier this year.
Taylor has firmly established himself as Leeds’ first-choice left-back and made 42 appearances for the Whites last season, chipping in with seven assists.
It remains to be seen whether Monk will opt to use Taylor against QPR in the team's Championship curtain-raiser on Sunday.
In other Leeds transfer news, Dundee captain James McPake believes his teammate will be huge hit in the Championship should he make a move down south.