West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis as the 23-year-old is tipped for a potential ‘rescue move’ to the capital.
With the Saints’ future in the Premier League looking uncertain, it’s thought that the defender could make an exit at the end of the season.
Southampton have only nine points on the board, relegation is beginning to cast a shadow over the south coast club, and as the threat of dropping to the Championship looms large, clubs are beginning to circle around their most valuable players – including the defender.
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Harwood-Bellis, who has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a dismal campaign for Southampton, has reportedly caught the attention of West Ham according to Alan Nixon’s report.
Despite Southampton’s overall struggles, Harwood-Bellis has stood out as one of their more reliable performers, and his form has made him a target for top-flight clubs looking to take advantage of the Saints’ likely relegation, with the Hammers looking to bring in a defender in the summer.
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The former Burnley loanee, who has achieved promotion from the Championship in each of his last two full seasons in the second tier, has recently switched agents. Having made a strong impression in the Championship, he has been a solid rock for the Saints in their return to the Premier League.
Harwood-Bellis made the move to Southampton in the summer for a reported £20 million after securing a permanent transfer from Manchester City. But according to Alan Nixon, should West Ham pursue a deal, they could land the defender for as little as £15 million, as Southampton’s precarious position in the league makes them more likely to let go of key players.