West Ham target Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
(Credit: Imago)
Declan Carr
Mon 30 June 2025 10:55, UK
West Ham have been heavily linked with Southampton star Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Graham Potter is in dire need of defensive recruits again, after his side conceded the sixth-most goals in the Premier League last season.
The likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos failed to impress, and the Hammers are expected to be in the market for a new centre-back.
The 23-year-old would fit the bill for the London Stadium outfit, after relegation to the Championship with Southampton last season.
Graham Potter West Ham
Potter needs recruits all over the pitch. (Credit: Imago)
West Ham face competition for Harwood-Bellis
The Irons face a battle to sign Harwood-Bellis, who wants to leave the Saints and return to the top-flight just a year after his £20million move.
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A report from Sky Sports (30 June) claims that the relegated side has rejected a £19million bid from Porto for the defender.
It states that the St Mary’s outfit are seeking a higher fee.
West Ham target Taylor Harwood-Bellis' stats in the Premier League last season.
Harwood-Bellis’ stats last season in the league. (Credit: Imago)
Potter needs to accelerate Harwood-Bellis pursuit
Harwood-Bellis was a part of the Saints team that achieved just 12 points and conceded 86 goals last season in one of the worst top-flight campaigns of all time.
However, he still earned a senior England cap in November, scoring on his debut for his country in a 5-0 win over Ireland.
The former Manchester City youth star would be an upgrade for the Hammers due to his defensive instincts and ability to play out from the back.
The latter ability would allow him to thrive in Potter’s side as he wants players who are comfortable with the ball at their feet and can pass out from defence.
David Sullivan needs to act quickly to get the Three Lions ace in East London amid the competition from Porto, who can offer European football, something which the Irons cannot.
If he fails to do so, the E20 outfit will miss out on a player with the potential to go to the very top, one that would also count as a homegrown option for squad registration purposes.
With a potential price tag of around £25m, it makes too much sense for the East London side not to enter the race for his signature and blow their competition out of the water.
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