Southampton handed big €20m boost in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Benfica transfer saga | OneFootball

Benfica have agreed to sign Alessandro Circati from Parma, providing a huge boost to Southampton in their hopes of keeping Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Southampton have received a major boost in their hopes of retaining Taylor Harwood-Bellis' services this summer, with Portuguese outfit Benfica having agreed a deal to sign another defender, possibly ending their interest in the England international.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Benfica have agreed a deal worth around €20m (£17.1 million) with Italian side Parma for Australian international Circati, with it looking increasingly likely that this deal ends their interest in Harwood-Bellis.

The two-time former European champions launched a similar bid for the Southampton defender recently, which was swiftly rejected; now, the Saints' chances of keeping hold of their star defender have massively increased.

Benfica's capture of Alessandro Circati likely ends their interest in Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis

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Harwood-Bellis, 24, has been a key figure in the heart of Southampton's defence for the past three years, having initially joined on loan from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, before the Saints were obligated to pay the Citizens around £20 million to sign the Englishman permanently following promotion to the Premier League.

The once-capped England international came through the ranks at Man City, making just eight first-team appearances in the North West, instead spending time out on loan with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht, Stoke City, Burnley and Southampton before his permanent move to the South Coast in 2024.

The ball-playing defender, despite Southampton's struggles in recent years, has continually impressed, earning a call-up to the England squad under Lee Carsley in November 2024, as former Hull City, Watford, Everton, and Fulham boss Marco Silva made attempts to bring him to the Portuguese capital.

Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã reported on Monday that Harwood-Bellis had told the club of his intentions to leave St Mary's this summer, despite a €35 million (£30 million) asking price, as Southampton have recently maintained their expectation for the Englishman to stay at the club beyond the September deadline.

Circati heading to Lisbon for a similar fee that Southampton rejected for Harwood-Bellis would indicate that their interest in the Englishman is now on ice; a huge boost for the Saints.

Why Southampton value Taylor Harwood-Bellis so highly

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Despite still being just 24, Harwood-Bellis has already amassed over 150 Championship appearances, as well as earning experience in the English and Belgian top-flight, whilst earning a cap in a heavily competitive England back line.

His defensive ability, of course, makes him an excellent option at second-tier level, but his ability to bring the ball out of the back and play line-splitting passes allows him to stand out from others in the division.

Under contract until the summer of 2028, Southampton are in no immediate rush to part ways with their star defender unless a lucrative fee is agreed, as finding someone similar to Harwood-Bellis' profile would be next to impossible for Tonda Eckert's side.

Tonda Eckert will be confident of keeping Taylor Harwood-Bellis at Southampton this summer and will be keen on further additions

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Southampton haven't been especially busy this summer, as with each of Cyle Larin, Daniel Peretz, and George Long turning their loan deals permanent, both Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama have followed.

Shea Charles' exit to Fulham will have left a big gap in midfield that Eckert will be keen to fill before the deadline, and money shouldn't be a stumbling block for the Saints.

Keeping Harwood-Bellis may arguably be one of their best bits of business they can do this summer, as with the Englishman looking increasingly likely to stay put, the German head coach will be keen to further reinforce his squad ahead of another year of pushing for promotion from the Championship.