Football
Exclusive: Greg Taylor Set for Celtic Exit with Burnley and West Ham Leading Chase
Celtic left-back Greg Taylor is being targeted by Burnley and West Ham as his contract with Celtic comes to an end. The 27-year-old Scotland international is open to a move to the Premier League and both clubs have expressed interest. Taylor, who is a free agent, has enjoyed success with Celtic but could be looking for a new challenge. Other clubs, such as PAOK, Copenhagen, and Dinamo Zagreb, are also interested in signing him.
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Burnley and West Ham want to sign Celtic left-back Greg Taylor, who is a free agent at the end of the month, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Defender Taylor starred last season for the Hoops as they won a memorable league and cup double.
But the 27-year-old Scotland international is out of contract next week and has yet to sign a new contract to stay at Celtic Park.
He has enjoyed six solid seasons for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, but our sources have learnt the sought-after full-back is open to a Premier League move – and both the Clarets and Hammers have made their intentions known.
The Clarets celebrated an impressive promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season, while the Hammers are specifically looking to strengthen at the back after a frustrating campaign last term.
Burnley boss Scott Parker is understood to be a firm admirer of Taylor, a player who feels would slot in nicely to the demands of the English top-flight.
NEXT MOVE WITH DEAL UP?
And West Ham manager Graham Potter has also been keeping tabs on Taylor’s next move as his deal winds down.
A free transfer represents a cheap bit of business in the market this summer for anyone wanting to sign Taylor who, after winning his fifth Scottish Premiership crown, is open to a new challenge.
Greek outfit PAOK have been heavily linked with the player, while Copenhagen have reportedly entered the race to try and win his prized signature and Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb rumoured to be interested in a potential deal.
However, Hoops’ boss Brendan Rodgers is open to keeping Taylor, but the arrival of former Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney, on a five-year deal this summer, means the defender’s opportunities are likely to be limited.
Taylor, capped 14 times by his country, has also won three Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup crowns during a distinguished Celtic career.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.