How much West Ham will need to pay Southampton to seal Taylor Harwood-Bellis transfer | OneFootball

The Hammers are reportedly keen on luring Taylor Harwood-Bellis to the London Stadium this summer.

Premier League outfit West Ham United are reportedly interested in a summer swoop for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

As per a report by TeamTalk, Hammers boss Graham Potter is eager to bolster his backline options in the coming weeks ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, although West Ham are battling PSR concerns which mean any deal would have to be structured carefully.

It’s far from ideal for Will Still to contend with as he aims to deliver immediate promotion back to the Premier League on the South Coast, but this is a natural process that comes with relegation from the top-flight.

Southampton, of course, will be hopeful that Harwood-Bellis remains at the club given he played such a key role in their promotion success a couple of seasons ago – the 23-year-old made 40 appearances as they achieved success through the play-offs.

Now, Harwood-Bellis could be set for a return to the big time, with this interest set to test the Saints’ resolve.

West Ham interested in Taylor Harwood-Bellis swoop

According to a report by TeamTalk, West Ham are showing interest in a move for Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis during the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the end of last season and won’t be back in action until August, but this is believed to not have put the Hammers off from attempting to strike a deal.

Southampton are believed to have placed a £20 million price tag on Harwood-Bellis, a figure that they believe reflects his potential and quality.

Saints boss Will Still is understood to be keen on retaining the defender’s services, viewing him as a cornerstone of Southampton’s ambitions to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

West Ham are targeting a replacement for Kurt Zouma, who recently departed the London Stadium on the expiration of his contract, with Harwood-Bellis’ composure, aerial strength and ability to play out from the back perfectly aligning with Potter’s philosophy.

Harwood-Bellis is reportedly very keen to play in the Premier League next season and if there is a chance he can get a move, it will be hard for him to turn it down.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis exit would be a blow for Southampton

Despite the disappointment of last term, Taylor Harwood-Bellis would be a fundamental cog to the Southampton engine room in the Championship next season.

The former Burnley man knows what it takes to get out of the second tier, being able to use his knowhow to benefit other players in the squad that are unexposed to the relentlessness of the Championship.

The defender’s ability to read the game superbly, alongside his physical attributes and dominating presence, means he is a proven quality defender at Championship level, and you can see why a top-flight side wants to take a chance on him to help him thrive into a top-flight talent.

Southampton should do all they can to keep him, with his promotion experience invaluable to the squad, but if the player wants to move on, then Southampton shouldn’t stand in his way either and use the recuperated funds to strengthen the squad further and cement their promotion chances.