Southampton reject Benfica bid, Watford trip today as Harwood-Bellis future hangs | OneFootball

Southampton visit Watford this afternoon with Tonda Eckert’s FA misconduct charge from the Spygate case still unresolved. A ban is possible and he has already watched one pre-season fixture from the stands. Off the pitch, a €20m Benfica bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis was rejected on Saturday as the club hold out for nearer £30m.

Marco Silva wants him, so a second offer is expected. Harwood-Bellis contributed seven goals and posted a 7.34 rating in the Championship last season from centre-back.

Fabrizio Romano reports contact with Feyenoord over Anel Ahmedhodzic, who moved from Sheffield United to Rotterdam a year ago. He was left out of Feyenoord’s league opener and a fee above €10m could secure him, while his former club are eyeing a reunion.

Kick-off at Vicarage Road is 1.30 this afternoon. Alessio Dionisi takes his first league game as Watford head coach and is short in defence. Travis Akomeah and Jack Grieves are out and Jeremy Ngakia has a hamstring issue, while Caspar Jander is Southampton’s only doubt.

Harwood-Bellis is expected to start despite the uncertainty. Tom Fellows could also be under the microscope if selected. Signed for £10m from West Brom last summer, he has gone 44 games without a Saints goal but has eight assists.

Eckert’s side beat Colchester 2-0 in the cup last weekend, Cyle Larin scoring off the bench and Romeo Akachukwu netting his first senior goal. Pre-season has been positive and the team look ready.

Southampton start the league on minus four points, so victory today would move them to minus one. The stance on Harwood-Bellis appears firm, no sale below the club’s valuation.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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