Premier League strugglers Burnley are keen on re-signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton, with the defender open to a move.
Burnley Keen on Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is being linked with a Premier League move to Burnley.
FourFourTwo report that the Clarets could make a move for the Manchester City academy graduate before the January transfer window slams shut on Monday, February 2.
They claim that the one-time England international is open to a return to Turf Moor.
He previously turned out for the club in 2022-23, making a total of 35 appearances for the Lancashire-based outfit as they secured top-flight promotion by winning the Championship.
Harwood-Bellis then joined the Saints on loan before making his move permanent in 2024.
The 23-year-old joined for £20m after the south coast club sealed Premier League promotion.
Southampton are expected to resist any approaches for the Stockport-born centre-back.
If Burnley are unable to strike a deal to sign the defender this winter, it is reported that they may return to the discussion table when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
Harwood-Bellis and the Saints will likely remain in the second tier beyond this season, with Tonda Eckert’s side currently sitting in 15th place in the table, seven points adrift of the playoffs.
Burnley Primed for Premier League Relegation
As it stands, the Clarets are set to join Southampton in the Championship next season.
They currently occupy 19th place in the top-flight table, eight points adrift of the safety positions, with Scott Parker’s men favoured in the Premier League relegation odds market.
Their league record for the campaign stands at three wins, five draws and 14 defeats.
As a result, Parker is among the favourites in the Premier League sack race odds. He is rated by bookmakers as the fifth favourite in the betting market, priced at 14/1 to be the next to go.
Should he depart, Steven Gerrard is favoured in the next Burnley manager odds market.
Recent results have given fans a glimmer of hope that Parker may be able to turn things around however, as they are now unbeaten in three consecutive matches across all competitions.
This run includes a 5-1 win over Millwall in the FA Cup third round, sandwiched by respectable 2-2 and 1-1 draws against English top-flight high-flyers Manchester United and Liverpool.
Supporters would’ve hoped for a few additions to their squad in January to boost their chances of survival. As things stand though, they are yet to make a single signing this winter.
The only confirmed pieces of business thus far are Michael Obafemi’s and Luca Koleosho’s loan exits to Blackpool and Paris FC, respectively, and Hannes Delcroix’s departure to FC Lugano.
Burnley are next in action on Saturday afternoon against out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur.
