What Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ potential England debut means for Manchester City’s finances | OneFootball

Manchester City are not expected to financially benefit from Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ senior England debut, should it take place over the upcoming international break.

The newly-promoted Premier League side automatically triggered a £20 million permanent transfer of Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City after their Championship play-off final victory over Leeds United at the end of last season.

The Manchester City Academy graduate had originally joined Southampton on a loan deal that included an obligation to buy, with the clause coming into effect if the south coast club secured promotion for the now-ongoing campaign.

The 22-year-old Stockport-born defender continues to play an integral role in Russell Martin’s defence, and made a staggering 46 appearances for the Saints last season en route to winning promotion back into the Premier League, scoring two goals in the process.

And his ongoing top-level performances for the Saints in the English top-flight have now been recognised by the pinnacle of international football, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis winning his first senior call-up to the England national team this month.

But with Manchester City known to be excellent negotiators when it comes to player sales, and ensuring that they benefit from an athlete’s progression in the game, many have been left wondering whether Harwood-Bellis’ England rise financially benefits the Etihad club.

However, according to the information of BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, there is no clause that entitles City to an additional payment from Southampton should Taylor Harwood-Bellis make his senior England debut during the November international break.

Manchester City do retain an interest in how the player’s career develops in other senses, with it reported over the summer that Etihad Stadium officials have both a buy-back and sell-on clause in the transfer that took the player to Southampton permanently.

Harwood-Bellis’ hopes of developing into the Manchester City first-team were largely brought to an end in the summer transfer window of 2022, when the club took the decision to sign Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the market.

The City Academy graduate reacted at the time, “Obviously it’s difficult seeing the club sign another centre half, but if you see the quality of the centre half they have signed it is a difficult one. He [Manuel Akanji] is unreal along with the other ones.”

Operating under Vincent Kompany at Burnley at the time, Harwood-Bellis continued, “I just focus on my job at Burnley. I can only do so much, I’ll keep putting in performances and doing my best.

“Whatever happens, happens. If I break in [the first-team at] at City, then I’ve achieved my goals. If not I go another route.”