The chances of West Ham United making a successful late push to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis look increasingly remote.
It is no secret that West Ham United want to sign a new defender during what remains of the January transfer window, having conceded 45 goals in the Premier League this season.
Still, most of the month has now passed, and West Ham have little time left to strengthen Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline.
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi in rare first-team action
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
The Irons remain on the lookout for new signings even at this late stage of the window and, on Friday, Southampton rejected West Ham’s bid for Harwood-Bellis.
It remains to be seen if the Hammers come back for the one-cap England international, though it appears as if the south coast club aren’t letting transfer speculation get in the way of their Championship campaign.
Southampton start Taylor Harwood-Bellis against Stoke City
Indeed, only a few hours after rejecting the offer, Saints named the former Manchester City youngster in their starting lineup against Stoke City.
The south coast club sit 15th in the Championship table and while it has been a difficult campaign, there is an outside chance that they could make a late run for the play-offs.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Harwood-Bellis has started all but five of Southampton’s 29 Championship games this season.
Who would West Ham have to sign now for it to be as big of a shock as when we signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano? 😂
Please let us know how you felt about it at the time too! 👇
West Ham football Club manager Alan Pardew with Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
Photo credit should read SHAUN CURRY/AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Southampton stance on transfers confirmed amid Taylor Harwood-Bellis bid
Prior to Saturday’s game against Stoke, Saints boss Tonda Eckert did confirm that he expected players to leave the club before the January window shuts.
While it should be noted that he wasn’t talking about the defender specifically, he did admit that it was likely players would leave before the close of play on Monday.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis playing for Southampton against Hull City.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Speaking during his pre-match press conference Eckert said: “There are some conversations at the moment. In the end, I think that we will find some solutions.
“I think that we will further reduce [the size of the squad] slightly.”
Harwood-Bellis has long been linked with West Ham but the fact he’s starting for Saints this close to the window shutting would suggest they are not overly fearful of a late departure.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox