West Ham United are reportedly keen on Burnley defender Charlie Taylor, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United this summer. 

Taylor has been a regular fixture in Vincent Kompany's side in the opening weeks of the 2022/23 Championship campaign but it seems he may be offered a route back to the Premier League before the transfer window closes.

The Hammers have already signed Maxwel Cornet from Burnley this summer and, according to talkSPORT, they are set to turn their attention to the 28-year-old next as they search for a new left-back.

The report claims that with deals for Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic and Chelsea’s Emerson falling through, the east London club are eyeing Taylor and believe that the Clarets may be willing to sell him before the window closes.

There are two years left on the defender's current deal at Turf Moor.

He has made more than 100 appearances since joining Burnley after his Leeds exit in 2017 but has also been linked with a move back to Elland Road.

The Verdict

It seems the Clarets' resolve may well be tested over the next few weeks, with West Ham now joining Leeds in eyeing Taylor.

The 28-year-old has played every minute of all four of the Clarets' Championship games this season and Kompany clearly appreciates his experience in what is now a very young defensive unit.

CJ Egan-Riley, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Luke McNally have all joined the club this summer but are all 22 or younger.

With James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, and Nathan Collins all departing, you wonder whether Taylor's exit could hinge on Kompany getting a more experienced centre-back through the door.