Manchester United target Neil Taylor may be flavour of the month but...

Neil Taylor is impressing on the big stage as part of Great Britain's squad at the Olympic Games, and this week found himself linked with a move to Manchester United.

The Manchester Evening News has reported that the Red Devils are keen to sign the 23-year-old left-back as cover for Patrice Evra.

Now Taylor may be the current flavour of the month, but there is more to it than that- He would be an excellent to United's squad, and potential successor to the Frenchman.

A move to Old Trafford would cap a remarkable rise for a player who was playing non-league football with Wrexham just three years ago.

After signing with Swansea two seasons back, his form in the club's promotion campaign saw him linked with a £1 million move to Newcastle United last summer, but he elected to stay with the Welsh side.

He had a terrific season last year, adjusting to Premier League football with ease, a feat recognised by his call-up by Stuart Pearce for Great Britain.

As we say, he's no flavour of the month - Back in January he was linked with a £5 million move to Arsenal to solve their left-back crisis.

Here are a few lines we wrote at the time: "Taylor has helped the newly promoted Welsh side keep the highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season.

"Aged only 22, Taylor clearly has a bright career ahead of him and a lot to offer. If Arsenal can agree a good price for him, around £5 million, he would be a terrific addition to their squad."

The Welshman made 35 starts for Swansea in the league last season in total, all at left-back, and signed off for the campaign by helping the club keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Liverpool.

So what are the chances of him arriving at United?

Well it depends on how genuine the Red Devils interest is of course, but there are reasons to believe he could be a very viable contender for a move. United need to sign a new left-back, they have no cover for Evra - loaning Fabio da Silva out to QPR.

They have been linked with Leighton Baines, but Everton appear to have priced him out of a move - with figures of £12 million to 17 million mooted, and at 27 Taylor is younger and cheaper. United have also been linked with Bryan Oviedo, a Costa Rican 23-year-old, but Taylor is the same age and has experience in the Premier League.

Swansea would be loathe to lose him, but as he is on Olympic duty, new manager Michael Laudrup has been busy making pre-season preparations without him, which would soften the blow.

He would likely end up costing around £6 million, a fee which could rise if he returns a Gold medallist as his reputation will have been boosted even more. For a highly rated 23-year-old, he might be just the right age, ability, and price for Manchester United.

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