Southampton Turn Down Transfer Bid From West Ham United
Saturday, 31st Jan 2026 09:53
With only a couple of days to go, it has been revealed that Saints have already had some interest in their squad from Premier League teams and have turned down what will probably be the opening offer from the Hammers and not the final one.
The Daily Echo has reported that Southampton have turned down a bid from West Ham United for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Saints paid £20 million for the central defender in the summer of 2024 and it is believed that they would want at least that if they were to consider selling him.
The Daily Echo had this to say:
"West Ham made an eight-figure offer to purchase the defender, but it falls below that fee and is less than Saints would accept, particularly in January.
"The fresh offer also included payment terms deemed to be unacceptable by Saints, with an extended payment plan over a period of many years.
"Several media reports elsewhere have reported that Harwood-Bellis is open to making the move to London Stadium, but Saints are reluctant to sell.
"The move is considered unlikely to happen, unless there is a significant increase in the bid. Harwood-Bellis is under contract until at least June 2028."
Southampton supporters would be disappointed if the club were to sell him now, whilst there is still a chance of winning a few games and pushing up into the promotion places.
If he were to go it would make the decision to let Ronnie Edwards depart to Queens Park Rangers so early in the transfer window, an astonishing lack of judgement.
This will not be the last offer from the Hammers, they will be back, but this is the January window, so Saints will want a big offer to tempt them, will the Hammers who are still 5 points off safety in the Premier League after winning their last two games be willing to pay it.
If they lose at Chelsea today and Nottingham Forest beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, then they might just be desperate enough to up the ante.
All Photos Via Reuters
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