Southampton have struggled to deliver upon pre-season promotion expectations in the Championship this term after suffering a swift Premier League relegation last time out – but one player has found himself the subject of interest from several top-flight clubs.
Despite only narrowly eclipsing Derby County’s infamous record-low 11-point tally by finishing the 2024/25 campaign with a paltry 12 points to their name, having swept through three separate managers, Southampton were hotly-tipped to challenge for a second Championship promotion inside three seasons.
However, ex-Reims and Lens head coach Still would only last until November before being relieved of his duties as Southampton found themselves positioned just three points above the relegation zone following a largely-disastrous start to the season.
The Saints promptly replaced Still with Eckert, who joined to lead the club’s under-21 side back in the summer, though the German has failed to build upon a blistering start in charge on an interim basis prior to his permanent hire, and criticism has intensified surrounding his own position amid a seven-match winless league run.
But, while Southampton have flattered to deceive and a number of high-profile acquisitions continue to search for an upturn in form, one player in particular has caught the eye of a number of Premier League suitors.
Premier League clubs eyeing up Southampton FC star Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Football League World can exclusively reveal that the player in question is Taylor Harwood-Bellis, with the defender understood to be attracting interest from several Premier League clubs in this month’s transfer window.
Ipswich Town’s Julio Enciso in action with Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis
FLW has learned that, as it stands, there is no expectation that Harwood-Bellis will be on his way out of St Mary’s Stadium before the window slams shut on February 2.
However, a litany of Premier League admirers have made their interest known in the 23-year-old, who is continually being watched in the Championship this season.
Harwood-Bellis first joined Southampton on loan from Manchester City and helped the Saints return to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2023/24, which triggered a permanent £20 million switch to the south coast.
The central defender made 34 appearances as Southampton were immediately relegated back to the second-tier, while managing to earn his first senior England cap and even score on debut in a 5-0 Nations League rout of the Republic of Ireland.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis for England-2
Harwood-Bellis has been an ever-present under both Still and Eckert this season, starting each of his 22 league outings and finding the back of the net on four occasions for the 16th-placed side.
Southampton FC may struggle to keep Taylor Harwood-Bellis if promotion chase fails
As aforementioned, there is no current indication that Harwood-Bellis will be leaving Southampton this month.
However, the continued admiration of Premier League clubs would suggest that the Saints may find themselves sweating over his future if they fail to achieve promotion back to the promised land at the first time of asking.
Indeed, that ambition is falling further and further from Southampton’s grasp, with Eckert’s side now ten points shy of sixth-placed Preston North End – albeit with a game in hand, – ahead of this evening’s trip to fellow strugglers Sheffield United.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis for Southampton
Something of a miracle would, of course, be required for a sudden automatic promotion charge, with a late surge into the top-six representing Southampton’s only real chance of competing for a top-flight return.
Should they fall short of that, however, then Harwood-Bellis’ future will surely come into question once more, with West Ham having been among the clubs linked with a swoop for the former Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Burnley loan star last summer.
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