'There’s a lot of noise' – Fresh Southampton FC reaction given as Everton & West Ham plot Harwood-Bellis move | OneFootball

FLW’s Southampton fan pundit has reacted to Everton and West Ham being linked with a late swoop for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite a poor run of form in recent times, Southampton will be hopeful of an upturn in their fortunes after taking four points from their last two games.

The Saints had appeared to have slumped back into the form that saw Will Still relieved of his duties earlier on in the campaign under Tonda Eckert, with the South Coast outfit failing to secure a victory in their previous six second-tier outings before facing off against Sheffield United, but they then got back on the winning trail when edging out the Blades 1-0.

And in a cauldron-like atmosphere at Fratton Park in the South Coast derby last weekend, the Saints came away with a point in a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Portsmouth, although they were left disappointed to drop two points after originally taking the lead through Leo Scienza.

Southampton will be hopeful of completing some much-needed incomings to help the squad rise up the Championship table between now and May, but they’re also at risk of losing some key first-team assets too, including central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The 24-year-old England international has been touted for a move back to the Premier League, with top-flight outfit Everton considering making a move, while TalkSPORT's Alex Crook has outlined that West Ham are also in the hunt for his signature before the 2nd February deadline.

It’ll be a concern for all connected with Saints given Harwood-Bellis has looked back to his best since having a three-month injury layoff at the back end of their top-flight relegation season.

With this in mind, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit has commented on the speculation and whether he is concerned that the defender could leave St Mary’s in the next few days.

Southampton fan pundit “not surprised” by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Everton speculation after impressive Saints form

Speaking to Football League World, Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders has admitted that he is “not surprised” to see Taylor Harwood-Bellis being linked with a move back to the Premier League, given he has been the Saints’ standout defender in recent times.

Martin told FLW: “It seems like there’s a lot of noise around him (Harwood-Bellis), it’s funny you get noise around certain players, and you feel is it the agents just being busy?

“There was a bit of talk down here that he was looking to go back to the north of the country. I think him and his Mrs are from that neck of the woods, so maybe there’s something in it.

“He’s been playing well for Saints. He was the best defender again at the weekend, and he’ll create a lot of interest as we head towards the summer window as well, if he doesn’t go now.

“It took him a little while to settle in this year but once he’s recovered from injury and got really fit, he’s got better and better, so yeah, I’m not really surprised.”

Southampton must stand strong and retain Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the short-term

Having already waved goodbye to Ronnie Edwards to Queens Park Rangers during this window, Southampton’s depth in central defence isn’t the strongest, even with Taylor Harwood-Bellis on the books.

And losing the England international with his ability at this level would leave both an untimely and massive hole to fill, while the club would be scampering around to find a suitable replacement by the 2nd February deadline.

Despite the Saints likely to command a sizeable fee for his services that could be used for future transfer business, he is still under contract for another two-and-a-half years, so surely the best course of action would be to let him see out the remainder of this season and reassess his future during this upcoming summer.

It clearly seems Harwood-Bellis is still happy to don the red and white of Southampton, so they shouldn’t be pressurised into a sale, and if he can maintain the impressive performances that he’s displayed in recent times, then they shouldn’t lose much value by hanging on to him for the next few months.