How much Southampton FC are paying Charlie Taylor as Middlesbrough circle | OneFootball

Boro could have a transfer fee and Charlie Taylor’s wages to contend with if they want the Saints man

Middlesbrough have been linked with a move for Southampton defender Charlie Taylor, but he could cause some wage-structure issues should he be recruited.

It was reported by journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon page, that Boro are exploring a potential deal for the 31-year-old, who has entered the final 12 months of his deal.

He only signed for the Saints last summer, but has barely featured since then, leading Rob Edwards’ side to ponder whether a cut-price deal could be on the cards as they look to strengthen at left-back.

That discount may be on offer in terms of transfer fee, but there could be work to do when it comes to Taylor’s wages.

What Charlie Taylor currently earns at Southampton

Taylor’s first season with Southampton didn’t go the way anyone would have liked it to, the defender beset by persistent injury issues, which restricted him to just 10 senior appearances throughout the entire campaign in all competitions.

He was then left out of the squad entirely for the first competitive game of the Will Still era, a 2-1 comeback win against Wrexham.

If he’s not in Still’s plans, then the Saints will be keen to get Taylor off their books as quickly as possible, as it’s estimated by Capology that he earns £30k per week under his current deal.

According to the same website, that puts the left-back on par with Flynn Downes and above goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the Saints’ wage table, both of whom started against the Red Dragons, creating an unsustainable scenario.

Where Charlie Taylor would sit in Middlesbrough’s wage structure

That means that Southampton will likely be keen to offload Taylor and will probably not demand an extortionate fee, but for Taylor, the motivation to accept a lower wage while he still has a year left on his current terms is much lower, and it will more difficult to negotiate.

According to Capology, were Taylor to be offered the same wage that his current contract provides, he’d become Boro’s joint-top earner, along with Luke Ayling.

That would put him far beyond the likes of last season’s top scorer, Tommy Conway (£10k), talented young midfielder Hayden Hackney (£6.5k) and winger Morgan Whittaker (£25k), all estimated by Capology.

While Taylor would undoubtedly bring some useful experience to the backline at Boro, there looks to be some distance between the wage the former Burnley man has been used to, and the sorts of sums that are paid out at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro have other options

Left-back is a priority position to recruit for at Boro, according to a report from The Northern Echo, but Taylor is not the player at the top of the club’s wishlist.

That report confirmed that Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten is the man Edwards’ side truly once, but have already seen one bid rejected, the MLS side stating he’s not for sale.

Middlesbrough haven’t given up, however, and Arfsten is believed to have made clear he’d be interested in the move.

Taylor is one name on a list of other potential left-back options, with the club having “loosely enquired” about the Saints man, but it has advanced no further as things stand.