West Ham United eyeing late swoop for Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis | OneFootball

West Ham United are eyeing a late winter transfer move for Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants to strengthen his options at the back at the London Stadium club having signed attacking quartet Keiber Lamadrid, Adama Traore, Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos so far.

The Hammers are now considering reviving their summer interest in Harwood-Bellis – a one-cap England international.

They have also been linked with Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, but the Frenchman lacks match fitness having not played a competitive game since the start of the season.

Harwood-Bellis has played 26 times for Southampton this term and he made 38 appearances for them when they were in the Premier League last term.

West Ham see him as an ideal player to help bolster their defensive ranks, and they could make a serious attempt to get a deal for him over the line in the coming hours.

The Manchester City academy graduate has also been a source of goals for the Saints, with four goals and two assists to his name in 24 league games this term.

Harwood-Bellis bagged three goals last season and could weigh in with important goals for the Hammers as they look to beat the drop.

However, they may need to offer the Saints a juicy deal as the Championship club are unlikely to be open to losing such a key player right now.

Southampton are eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League and could still finish in the play-offs zone, with only seven points separating them from the top-six after 29 games.

The opportunity to return to the top-flight right now would appeal to Harwood-Belli, and he could be very much open to joining West Ham before the deadline.