Saints defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC)
Saints defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC)
SAINTS have reportedly rejected a fresh bid from Aston Villa for defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, but an agreement is supposedly getting closer.
Harwood-Bellis was left out of Saints' squad that beat Stoke City 3-1 in the Championship on Saturday.
Head coach Tonda Eckert made the decision has he believed the 24 year old wasn't in the right headspace after an initial offer from Villa was turned down, thought to be in the region of £18million.
Portuguese side Benfica also saw a bid rejected of similar value but it is thought that they have since moved on to other targets.
Villa will compete in the Champions League this summer and are looking for a new central defender to replace Ezri Konsa, who has joined Arsenal for around £51m.
Now, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Saints have rejected a new offer of £20m plus £4m in add-ons.
Plettenberg has added that that "there is a feeling" both clubs are "getting closer to an agreement".
🚨⏳ Aston Villa are still in negotiations with Southampton over Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Southampton have rejected a latest offer of £20m + £4m in add-ons.
But: There’s a feeling the clubs are now getting closer to an agreement.@SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/3qc3ruW6QS
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 23, 2026
Harwood-Bellis joined Saints on loan from Manchester City in 2023 before promotion to the Premier League triggered a £20m permanent move the following year.
The defender has made 134 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.
In that time, the 24 year old make his senior England debut, on which he scored against the Republic of Ireland.
48 of those appearances came last season as the defender was a key figure.
Saints are said to rate Harwood-Bellis, who is contracted until 2028, in the region of £25m-£30m.
That would be a similar fee to the deal that saw Shea Charles join Fulham earlier this month, who left for £26m plus £4m in add-ons.