Aston Villa are finalising an agreement with Southampton to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a deal worth up to £30million as Unai Emery closes in on his preferred replacement for Ezri Konsa.
Villa have already seen two offers rejected for the 24-year-old this month, but negotiations have now moved significantly closer to a conclusion.
The Athletic reports that the structure of the deal is in place, with Villa expected to pay an initial £25m plus bonuses that could take the package to £30m.
The remaining add-ons still need to be finalised, but there is now an expectation that an agreement will be reached soon.
Aston Villa close in on Taylor Harwood-Bellis agreement
Villa’s pursuit of Harwood-Bellis has developed considerably since their opening proposal.
ReadAstonVilla reported that Southampton rejected Villa’s first £18m offer plus add-ons before the Saints also turned down an improved package.
The Championship club had been holding out for around £30m, with Villa subsequently learning that Harwood-Bellis wanted the move despite Southampton rejecting two bids.
Villa now appear ready to meet that valuation through a £25m initial fee and potential bonuses.
Emery has been a driving force behind the pursuit.
Harwood-Bellis emerged as one of Villa’s leading options after Konsa completed his move to Arsenal, leaving a major vacancy in the centre of defence.
Villa explored alternatives during negotiations with Southampton, including Joel Ordóñez and Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Ordóñez deal eventually collapsed because of concerns surrounding the defender’s fractured metatarsal, while Villa also explored a move for Todibo after the Ecuador international deal broke down.
Harwood-Bellis nevertheless remained a priority.
Harwood-Bellis set to replace Ezri Konsa
The 24-year-old came through Manchester City’s academy before establishing himself at Southampton.
He has made 134 appearances for the Saints, scoring 12 goals and registering seven assists, and earned his first senior England cap in 2024.
Harwood-Bellis has also been left out of Southampton’s last three fixtures as uncertainty around his future increased.
If the remaining bonus details are agreed, he would become another major addition to Emery’s dramatically rebuilt Villa squad.
For Villa, the move would finally resolve a centre-back pursuit that has stretched across several targets and multiple rejected offers.
