Neil Taylor a target for Russian outfit Krasnodar – reports
Neil Taylor of Wales in action against Trinidad & Tobego. Wales v Trinidad & Tobego International friendly at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
Russian Premier League side Krasnodar are targeting 32 year-old Welsh international Neil Taylor, according to reports.
Krasnodar are looking to sign a left-back following the injury to their Ecuadorian international Cristian Ramirez. If reports in Russia are to be believed, Neil Taylor is a target of high value for the Russian side.
Former Real Madrid and Portugal left-back, Fabio Coentrao, is also a target for the Russian Premier League side. Coentrao currently plays his football for Rio Ave in the Primeira Liga.
Taylor is entering the final few months of his contract with Aston Villa, and Dean Smith’s side aren’t expected to offer the defender a new contract.
He is free to negotiate with foreign clubs over a possible transfer as a free agent once his contract has expired.
The left-back has struggled for game time this season. He’s only made one appearance in the Premier League, a 15-minute substitute cameo against Manchester City. A massive drop from his 14 appearances in the English top-flight last season.
This lack of game time at club level has seemingly left him out of favour for Ryan Giggs’ international side. Ben Davies and Rhys Norrington-Davies have both been favoured to the former Swansea and Wrexham man recently. This has left Taylor without a place in Giggs’ squad.
His last appearance for Wales came in a home win against Azerbaijan in the EURO 2020 qualifiers, in September 2019.
Taylor has made 103 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa since signing from Swansea City in 2017.
His most successful season at Villa Park came in 2018/19, as he made 37 appearances in all competitions, helping The Villa earn promotion back into the Premier League after three seasons in the Championship.
Several Welshmen have recently decided to ply their trade abroad, most recently Dylan Levitt of Manchester United joining Croatian side NK Istra on loan. Neil Taylor could be the next on that list of Welshmen abroad.
