Amount Aston Villa Short On Asking Price For Target Clear As Improved Bid Needed | OneFootball

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Aston Villa require at least another £7m to bridge the valuation gap with Southampton in order to prise Taylor Harwood-Bellis away, according to journalist Adam Blackmore.

Ezri Konsa, who has been the heartbeat of Unai Emery’s defence, is set to bid farewell to Villa Park as he has been sold to Arsenal.

The Villans are understood to be in line for a fee worth £50m for the England international, but the deal leaves a hole in Unai Emery’s defensive options.

Consequently, replenishing the centre-back ranks has become a priority for the Midlands outfit before the window closes.

There have been suggestions that Aston Villa have made a firm move for Fikayo Tomori, who is also being chased by Newcastle United, and is on his way out of AC Milan this summer.

Villa though could end up recruiting domestically and they are keen on Southampton’s defender Harwood-Bellis.

In their efforts to accelerate the pursuit, the Villans have already placed an £18m bid plus add-ons for the defender.

That proposal falls short of Southampton’s valuation, however, with the two clubs suggested to be separated by at least £7m at present.

Whether Aston Villa are prepared to increase their offer for Harwood-Bellis to £25m to convince Saints to sell remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking.

Harwood-Bellis was open to a move to the London Stadium when West Ham United tested the water during the winter window, although Southampton stood firm on retaining him, making this summer a possible opening for a fresh chapter for the Englishman.

The 24-year old remains an integral figure for Saints, meaning his departure from St Mary’s would leave Southampton needing to fill the void in central defence.

Southampton did chase Anel Ahmedhodzic, alongside Sheffield United, but he has now moved to Burnley from Feyenoord.