Manchester United ‘to consider’ bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis as Villa talks drag | OneFootball

Manchester United appear to be considering a bid for Southampton vice-captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a development that could complicate Aston Villa's pursuit with the window closing at 11pm on Tuesday.

According to Sainstmarching.com, United have discussed the centre-back and could table an offer, which may trigger late competition with Villa.

Villa's opening £18m proposal was rejected, and an improved bid still sat at least £5m below Southampton's valuation.

After Arsenal bought Ezri Konsa for £51m, attention at Villa shifted to alternatives. Joel Ordóñez agreed terms with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and West Ham's Jean-Clair Todibo has been heavily linked, leaving Harwood-Bellis on the back-burner.

Southampton are in no rush to sell. Harwood-Bellis is under contract until 2028 and, with no release clause reported, Sport Republic have continued to decline offers.

Keven Schlotterbeck has arrived from Augsburg to replace Jack Stephens, while Joshua Quarshie is rumoured to be heading to Sturm Graz on loan.

United's interest could change the dynamic. If Villa return and meet the asking price, a deal remains possible, but Southampton are prepared to keep a player who asked to leave in May.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”