Aston Villa see £21m bid for Benfica target rejected | OneFootball

Taylor Harwood-Bellis was identified by Benfica as a target for central defense to replace António Silva. However, with the arrival of Alessandro Circati, negotiations cooled down. Aston Villa want to sign him, but Southampton were adamant.

According to reports in the English press, the "Saints" rejected the "Villans'" offer of 21 million euros plus add-ons. The Championship club is seeking a fee of around 29 million euros to let the centre-back leave.

Aston Villa’s interest in the defender comes at a time when the club is looking for reinforcements, anticipating the likely departure of England international Ezri Konsa to Arsenal in a transfer that could exceed 58 million euros.

Developed at Manchester City, for whom he made eight appearances, including one in the Champions League, he left in the winter of 2021 for several loan spells: Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht, Stoke City, Burnley, and Southampton. At the latter, he became one of the team’s standout players.

Last season, wearing the Southampton shirt, Taylor Harwood-Bellis - valued at 20 million euros - made 48 appearances: 43 in the Championship, four in the FA Cup, and one in the EFL Cup. In 4,323 minutes on the pitch, the British centre-back scored seven goals and provided two assists.

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