Taylor Harwood-Bellis to push for Southampton exit amid West Ham transfer bid
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis was of interest to West Ham during the January transfer window.
The centre-back was relegated from the Premier League with Southampton last term, and has made 26 appearances in the Championship as the Saints sit 14th in the standings.
Only Burnley (49) have conceded more than the 48 of both West Ham and Wolves this season, prompting a winter search to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline.
Axel Disasi arrived at the London Stadium on deadline day, completing a loan move from Chelsea.
Reports indicated that Southampton man Harwood-Bellis was also of interest to the Hammers and that he could be ready to force the issue heading into the summer.
Taylor Harwood Bellis was of interest to West Ham, he could force a move
Reports from Alan Nixon’s Patreon suggest that the 24-year-old is now being chased by Italian side Fiorentina.
This comes after the Saints rejected an approach from La Viola before the transfer window slammed shut, while they also stalled a bid from West Ham, who beat Fiorentina in the 2022-23 UEFA Conference League final.
Southampton sit 14th in the standings after a far from ideal return to the second tier, and it is reported that the defender will wait until the end of the season to push for a move away, if Tonda Eckert’s side are unable to mount a promotion charge.
West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League, just three points from safety after their recent run of three wins in four.
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West Ham may not be on the cards for Taylor Harwood-Bellis
With the ex-Manchester City defender’s future up in the air, there is a chance that West Ham may not be a suitable destination for someone with Premier League ambitions.
The Hammers are just three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, however, they are in a position where they will have to rely on the Garibaldi’s results if they are to escape.
Harwood-Bellis made his debut for England under Lee Carsley in November 2024.
And after having a taste of both top-level club football, and at international level, he is naturally now in search of that once again.
Nuno’s men have done fantastically to drag themselves back within touching distance of the safety line, however their fate is not entirely in their own hands.
When it comes to their summer recruitment, the quality brought to the London Stadium will entirely rest on the coming months.