West Ham to succumb to Chelsea demands as Taylor Harwood-Bellis update emerges
West Ham’s hunt for a new centre-back looks set to go down to the wire.
West Ham have done a lot of work in the winter transfer window, and they aren’t likely to stop there ahead of Monday night’s deadline.
However, all of their arrivals have bolstered their attacking options, which many have seen as a bizarre strategy given their defensive struggles under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Hammers are looking to rectify those concerns in the final hours of the transfer window, but the latest update may force them into an unwanted deal with Chelsea.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis deal hits a wall
West Ham have been linked with Harwood-Bellis as one of several defensive options needed to bolster their survival chances.
The Hammers were ready to pay a fee in the region of £12million for his arrival, though that was short of Southampton’s asking price, with Matteo Moretto now reporting via X that negotiations have now broken down.
Given the lack of quality he has showcased in the Premier League, that in itself may not be too much of a blow, though it does leave the Irons chasing a deal elsewhere, and it’s likely that it will involve Axel Disasi.
West Ham wanted to sign Disasi on loan, but the Blues wanted a permanent exit for the Frenchman, with the deal stalling as a result.
However, with such a limited amount of time left in the window, the Irons may have to succumb to those demands to secure their defensive arrival before 7pm on Monday.
Axel Disasi is not the only possibility for West Ham
While Disasi may be the most likely option for West Ham now, he isnt the only one.
That is because West Ham have made a bid to sign Natan from Real Betis, with a loan-to-buy proposal already submitted, albeit also rejected.
However, there is a chance that the Hammers look further into that deal if their other paths lead to nothing.
A failure to sign a new defender would be a catastrophe for the Hammers, though they will almost certainly be aware of that.
But with less than 28 hours left to go until the window closes, time is running out at a rapid pace.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.