Aston Villa have finally struck a £30million agreement for Taylor Harwood-Bellis after Southampton rejected two previous offers for Unai Emery’s preferred Ezri Konsa replacement.
Villa’s pursuit of the 24-year-old has taken another major step forward after negotiations accelerated over the weekend.
Sky Sports reports that Villa and Southampton have agreed in principle on a package worth £30m, consisting of a guaranteed £25m fee and another £5m in potential add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano has also given the transfer his trademark “here we go”, reporting that Harwood-Bellis has given Villa the green light and that the verbal agreement is now complete.
Documents still need to be exchanged before the move can be formally completed.
Aston Villa finally make Harwood-Bellis breakthrough
Villa have refused to give up on Harwood-Bellis despite repeatedly being knocked back by Southampton.
The Saints initially rejected an £18m plus add-ons offer from Aston Villa before turning down an improved £20m plus £4m package.
That second rejection left Villa facing Southampton’s £30m valuation, with ReadAstonVilla reporting that the Championship club continued to hold firm despite Harwood-Bellis wanting the move.
Villa appeared to make the decisive breakthrough on Sunday.
The Athletic had reported that the structure of a £25m plus add-ons agreement was being finalised, before Sky and Romano subsequently reported that an agreement had been reached.
That represents clear progression from Villa merely closing in on the £30m transfer earlier on Sunday.
Emery closes in on Ezri Konsa replacement
Harwood-Bellis has been one of Emery’s leading defensive targets since Ezri Konsa left Villa Park.
Konsa completed his £55m move to Arsenal earlier this month, leaving Villa needing an established centre-back before the transfer deadline.
Harwood-Bellis has made 134 appearances for Southampton and has also been capped by England.
Villa considered alternative options after their earlier bids failed, including Joel Ordóñez and Jean-Clair Todibo, but Emery’s interest in Harwood-Bellis never disappeared.
After two rejected offers and more than a week of negotiations, Villa have now moved to the figure required to unlock the deal.
Formal completion is the final hurdle.
