Middlesbrough are reportedly plotting a move for out-of-favour Southampton defender Charlie Taylor.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon, who claims that Taylor has emerged on Boro’s radar as head coach Rob Edwards continues his search for defensive reinforcements.

Taylor joined Southampton on a free transfer from Burnley last summer, but he made just 10 appearances in all competitions as they were relegated from the Premier League last season, with only five of those coming from the start.

Having been left out of the squad for the 2-1 win over Wrexham on Saturday, it seems Taylor has also been deemed surplus to requirements by new Saints manager Will Still, and he could now be set to depart St Mary’s as he enters the final year of his contract.

Taylor was linked with Norwich City last month, but talk about a potential move to Carrow Road has cooled in recent weeks, and the 31-year-old may instead be on his way to the Riverside Stadium as Boro step up their interest.

Middlesbrough lining up move for Southampton defender Charlie Taylor

After being omitted from the squad for the victory over Wrexham, Still confirmed that Taylor will feature for Southampton when they make the trip to face League One side Northampton Town at Sixfields in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, and he described the defender as “a really good guy”.

However, while Taylor will be looking to help the Saints progress to the next round of the competition, his long-term future appears to lie away from St Mary’s, with Welington and Ryan Manning both seemingly ahead of him in Still’s pecking order at left-back.

With his first-team opportunities likely to be limited on the South Coast, Taylor could be offered a lifeline by Middlesbrough, and his arrival at the Riverside Stadium would help to strengthen what has been a problem area for Edwards during the early stages of his tenure. Reports from Nixon suggest he’s the left-back that Boro want to add.

Alex Bangura looked set to be Boro’s first-choice left-back this season, but he suffered a hamstring injury in the second pre-season friendly against Bradford City that will keep him out until the end of August, and winger Sammy Silvera was forced to deputise in the 1-0 win over Swansea City on Saturday.

Having spent last season out on loan at Portsmouth and Blackpool, Edwards stated post-match that Silvera is in “a really good spot” as his surprise turnaround in fortunes continues, but despite that, it seems the former Luton manager is preparing to enter the transfer market for reinforcements as he sets his sights on Taylor.

Should Taylor make the move to the Riverside Stadium, he would become Boro’s fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of defenders Callum Brittain and Alfie Jones and midfielder Abdoulaye Kante.

Rob Edwards may have one Charlie Taylor concern as Middlesbrough eye Southampton raid

Bangura is currently Middlesbrough’s only senior left-back, and with his injury problems showing no sign of easing, it is a position Edwards desperately needs to strengthen before the end of the transfer window.

Taylor would bring vast experience to the Riverside Stadium having spent much of his career playing in the Premier League and Championship with the likes of Leeds United, Burnley and Southampton, and he would certainly be a reliable option for Edwards to call upon.

However, given that Taylor would be required to play a wing-back role at the Riverside Stadium, as he is now 31 years of age, there are some question marks over whether he would be able to provide the necessary attacking threat down the left side for Boro.

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