There will be an emergency meeting of West Ham top brass today after a star ruined the club’s plan to sign Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Hammers News exclusive
West Ham have been locked in talks to sign a new central defender this week with Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Chelsea’s Axel Disasi top of the list.
The Hammers have been in talks with Chelsea about a loan deal for Disasi while the club has seen a £12.5m bid for Saints star Harwood-Bellis knocked back.
Overnight it has emerged that Disasi now wants to join West Ham’s rival suitors AC Milan.
And Harwood-Bellis started and starred for Southampton in a 2-0 win at Stoke with reports that they will not consider selling the ex Man City man in this window.
West Ham plan fresh offer for Saints star Harwood-Bellis
There has been plenty of business between Southampton and West Ham in recent seasons from James Ward-Prowse and Flynn Downes to Maxwel Cornet, Kyle Walker-Peters and Mateus Fernandes.
Harwood-Bellis is a client of Will Salthouse, the agent who is very close with West Ham chief David Sullivan and his sons.
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A graphic showing a TalkingPoints user on Nuno's big mistake for West Ham vs Chelsea.
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So the fact West Ham have made a move suggests the club are getting information a deal could be done and the player is open to the move.
But as seems so typical of the Hammers, it has all been left until the last knockings of the window to address a key issue.
And all the while, precious Premier League points are being lost due to – in Nuno Espirito Santo’s own words – ‘bad defending’.
Ipswich Town FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
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Now there is panic in the West Ham boardroom as a star ruins the plan for Southampton’s Harwood-Bellis.
Hammers supporters cannot believe the club did not prioritise defensive recruits at the start of the January transfer window given they possess the worst defence in the Premier League.
West Ham have conceded two goals per game on average this season and shipped another three in the dismal collapse from 2-0 up to lose 3-2 to Chelsea on Saturday night.
Despite the glaring deficiency in the team, West Ham are still yet to sign a new centre-back with just 36 hours until the window slams shut.
After being relegated last season, Southampton will not be bouncing straight back at the first time of asking.
Panic in West Ham boardroom as star ruins Harwood-Bellis plan
While the Saints will still have a reduced parachute payment, the financial impact really starts to be felt more acutely in the second season.
It is when squads and wage bills start having to be cut – and West Ham spotted an opportunity.
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West Ham United's Portuguese head coach Nuno Espírito Santo gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on January 31, 2026.
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Hammers News understands Sullivan has been hoping to prey on the fact Southampton know they will not be getting promoted back to the Premier League this season by leaving it late to try for Harwood-Bellis.
Saints know they need to bring in funds and secure maximum value if they sell players.
So West Ham believed Southampton would eventually accept a lower fee than first thought ahead of the window closing.
Jean-Clair Todibo is sent off for West Ham against Chelsea.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Especially as they may be forced to settle for even less if they have to sell Harwood-Bellis in the summer.
But West Ham’s grand plan has been left in tatters by Jean Clair-Todibo.
The Frenchman was brainlessly sent off for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat at the end of the defeat at Chelsea.
After struggling for the first 18 months at West Ham, Todibo has started to find fitness and form under Nuno of late.
But he will now miss three games after being dismissed for violent conduct.
Todibo has apologised in a statement on social media but he has caused just as much damage in the West Ham boardroom as he may have on the pitch.
Saints know Hammers are desperate after Todibo red
West Ham fans are already fearing the worst that Max Kilman will now have to come back into the side in Todibo’s absence.
So a new centre-half is needed urgently.
Todibo’s sending off has only served to strengthen Southampton’s position over Harwood-Bellis and weakens West Ham’s.
Now Saints know the Hammers are even more desperate after Todibo’s red and will have little choice but to meet their demands if they really want to sign Harwood-Bellis.
It was bad enough that Southampton knew West Ham now had £36.5m from the sale of Lucas Paqueta and now Todibo has played into their hands too.
Hammers News understands West Ham will hold an emergency talks about the centre-back situation on Sunday in the wake of Todibo’s suspension.
A fresh and marginally improved bid is expected for Harwood-Bellis.
Whether Southampton can be drawn into doing a deal could well go a long way to deciding West Ham’s Premier League fate.
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