credit: Imago

West Ham Zone Speaking to Martin Allen

Thu 29 May 2025 7:10, UK

Southampton could demand sizable add-ons from West Ham in a potential deal for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The Hammers have shown an interest in the 23-year-old after facing relegation with the Saints in his first full Premier League season.

Despite being involved in a side that accrued just 12 points, the centre-back earned a senior England call-up back in November.

As a result, it would come as little surprise if sizable bonuses as well as an initial fee were demanded by the St Mary’s club for Harwood-Bellis club this summer.

Southampton could future-proof Harwood-Bellis sale

With Will Still coming in as head coach for the second-tier side, there is likely to be a number of changes utilised on the south coast.

This could be set to kick start with a number of big-name sales, with Mateus Fernandes already linked with an exit ahead of the window opening.

Another is Harwood-Bellis, who has already been subject to initial enquiries from the Hammers after signing for the Saints last summer for £20million [TEAMtalk, 24 May].

With that being said, former Brentford and Leicester City manager Martin Allen has suggested that multi-million add-on fees could be utilised from the Championship side in the summer.

“I certainly think he’s better than the centre-backs that West Ham have already got,” Allen told West Ham Zone.

“He’s right-sided, he’s young, and he’s already gotten himself into the England squad.

“I’ve seen him play live a number of times, and I thought he did well, he was wholehearted and committed.

“That age group is certainly one, if you were Graham Potter, that you’d be looking to get on board. I think that £20m fee would be good, nowadays that would be sitting about right for him.

“If I were Southampton, I’d be putting a number of extra bonuses in his contract, like if West Ham got into Europe, then they would get an extra £5m, if he plays for England, then they get another £5m.

“That means if he does extremely well, then Southampton are also rewarded.“

West Ham could be put off by Harwood-Bellis fee

There is every chance that the Saints could demand well over £30m for their defender after signing him less than 12 months ago.

This would represent a sizable fee for a player who has a general lack of Premier League experience, regardless of his potential.

Despite this, Graham Potter may look to force this sort of deal over the line, given how useful Harwood-Bellis could prove to be at the London Stadium.

Alongside someone like Max Kilman, the Irons could form a useful defensive pairing for many years to come, but may have reservations over the price tag.