Tony Pulis: We will pull out of signing Charlie Taylor if Leeds don't agree deal

The left-back is out of contract this summer and could arrive on a free transfer, but because he is under 24, the Baggies will be forced to pay Leeds compensation at tribunal.

To remove any shock bills down the line, Albion have started negotiations with the Championship club about settling up beforehand.

It's believed they opened with a bid of £3.5million, but talks have not progressed much further.

The club have already started talks with Taylor and his representatives over his personal terms.

Although they can still sign the 23-year-old for free and wait for the tribunal, Pulis says that is a risk not worth taking.

"We wanted to find out what the price was to see if we'd be interested," he said. "If it's going to go to tribunal, we don't know what the price is and I think that takes us out of the game.

"You could go to tribunal and they could put an extraordinary amount of money on it and you're stuck with it. It's a risk that, at this moment, is not worth taking."

Liverpool were ordered to pay Burnley £6.5m rising to a potential £8m after they took Danny Ings on a free.

Taylor has been at Leeds since he was nine, and the club received bids of £7m for him in January.

Albion are clued up on tribunals, having looked into them earlier this season when the prospect of Saido Berahino leaving on a free transfer reared its head.