AFC Wimbledon are considering opening contract talks with Lyle Taylor in a bid to ward of interest in the striker this summer.

Taylor was the club’s top scorer last term as he banged in 23 goals to fire the club into League One.

The 26-year-old scored in the play-off final at Wembley in May to sign off for the season in fine fashion under the famous arch.

His performances have not gone unnoticed by Championship and third tier sides with whispers that clubs such as Brentford, Reading and Coventry are keeping tabs on Taylor.

Taylor struggled to channel his anger in the opening stages of the 2015/16 campaign but worked with a sports psychologist to get a grip on his game.

Goals started to flow and his confidence increased at Kingsmeadow as Wimbledon were elevated into League One for the first time since their formation.

Being able to offer Taylor a higher level of football has gone a long way to assuring the forward the Dons are able to match his ambitions.

Party time: Lyle Taylor at Wembley
Lift it high: Lyle Taylor with the trophy

He led a nomadic existence in the early stages of his career as he learnt his trade, however the London boy looks to have settled down under Neal Ardley.

He is already under contract for next term and was the face of the club’s kit launch on Sunday as Wimbledon’s Centre Court shopping centre was awash with yellow and blue.

Ardley is increasingly confident the striker will remain with the Wombles to take on their new challenge and GetWestLondon understands an improved deal is in the pipeline.

Discussions over the new contract are yet to take place but are on the horizon for the former Bournemouth and Scunthorpe hitman.

Wimbledon took a similar step to keep hold of Adebayo Akinfenwa, handing him improved terms last summer, amid strong interest from the United States.

Akinfenwa had collected two club awards that season after impressing in his debut campaign, with the powerhouse bowing out after May’s Wembley triumph.

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