Southampton reject £19m bid from European giants for ‘incredible’ star as club braced for summer exit
Southampton are in a period of transition following Premier League relegation, and EFL Analysis understands they have now received an eye-watering bid for one of their prized assets.
Within the 2025/26 Championship campaign, the Saints are searching for instant promotion back to the top flight, after their ill-fated relegation to the Championship last term.
In the wake of their demotion, Southampton appointed Will Still to spearhead the coming second tier season, arriving at St Mary’s after leading RC Lens to eighth in Ligue 1.
Within Southampton’s incomings and outgoings, their first signing came in the form of Hoffenheim starlet Joshua Quarshie, in a deal worth £3.5m for the German centre-back.
Unfortunately for Southampton, the club’s summer business has been dominated by departures. Despite this, the Saints have rejected a £19m bid for one of their standout stars.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Southampton FC
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Southampton reject £19m bid from Porto for Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Exits from St Mary’s have been rife throughout the summer, with the notable departure of veteran full-back Kyle Walker-Peters for free, upon the expiry of his contract.
His departure has left Walker-Peters with “a lot of options” this summer, and it appears he will not be the only high-profile Southampton outgoing to come.
With the window in full swing, it has now emerged that Southampton have rejected a £19m bid from Porto for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
EFL Analysis understands, via our Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, that Porto have had a £19million bid rejected for the central defender.
Despite their initial rebuttal, the expectation from Southampton is that the 23-year-old will move on this summer.
Bailey also added that Porto are doing a lot of work in the English market, they also still like Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, as Manchester United and Tottenham circle Hackney.
Harwood-Bellis arrived on loan at Southampton from Manchester City ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, in a deal which was made permanent last summer for £20m, ranking Harwood-Bellis third highest on Southampton’s most expensive signings chart.
City boss Pep Guardiola hailed Harwood-Bellis last season after he returned to face his former employers for the first time. Guardiola told Man City’s website: “I’m so happy for him because he’s a lovely guy.
“I’m happy that he’s settling in the Premier League. He’s an incredible threat for Southampton from set pieces and a composer when they have the ball.”
Given the growing interest in his services, it would be a surprise to see Harwood-Bellis feature for Southampton in the coming season, especially after his recent comments made regarding his immediate footballing future.
What Taylor Harwood-Bellis has said about his Southampton future
As well as the Portuguese giants, West Ham and Burnley want Harwood-Bellis, who shot himself to international recognition after scoring on his England debut last year in the 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
Harwood-Bellis has not featured for the Three Lions since, and has made his intentions to re-enter the England fray clear, which could spell bad news for Southampton this summer.
He told Sky Sports last week: “Obviously it’s a dream to play for England, but I want to stay there; I don’t want to be a one-cap wonder.
“I’ve got a long way to go, and I wouldn’t say that I’m close to the team at the minute just because of how the season went.
“I’ve got to do a job, but personally and selfishly, to get back in the England squad I need to be in the Premier League.”
In our early 2025/26 Championship predictions, Southampton have been tipped for promotion, but Still will find that task far more difficult in his debut season without the classy centre-half to call upon.
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