Everton ‘set sights’ on Taylor Harwood-Bellis as Premier League return lined up
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is interested in a return to the Premier League with Southampton struggling in the Championship so far this season.
Burnley have been heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old this month, but they could face competition from Everton, who are long-term admirers of his.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Southampton‘s struggles mean the centre-back could be available sooner than expected.
He has made 26 appearances for the 15th-placed Saints so far this season, and is under contract until 2028, so a deal may be difficult to pull off.
However, should any Premier League club be able to reach an agreement, he is keen to make the move to get back playing at the top level.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis eyes Premier League return
Brown told Football Insider in March 2025 that Crystal Palace and West Ham wanted Harwood-Bellis and had been keeping an eye on his performances.
While a lot of the interest has faded with clubs pursuing other targets, Everton have now joined Burnley in the race for his signature this month.
“Harwood-Bellis is a player who is being mentioned again,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s done well at Southampton, I have my doubts about how good he is at Premier League level because most of his success has been in the Championship.
“But there are Premier League clubs who have been looking at him because he’s a young centre-back which there aren’t exactly a multitude of.
“Burnley are being spoken about, and I hear Everton have been having a look at him too.
“He’s been one of the most consistent players at Southampton even while they’ve been struggling, and I expect he will have an eye on returning to the Premier League.
“If Southampton don’t look like they’re going up, he will be interested in seeing what offers come in for him to make that step up again.”
Everton set sights on Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Harwood-Bellis is not the only defender on Everton’s radar in the closing stages of the January transfer window, as they are also targeting Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Football Insider revealed on 25 January that Everton have joined the race for Norton-Cuffy, who will likely cost between £17million and £20million this month.
Newcastle and West Ham have also been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old’s situation with a move in mind during the January transfer window.
David Moyes has been planning to sign a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, while Jake O’Brien is seen as a stop-gap option in that position.
The former Arsenal academy graduate has emerged as an option as he is keen to return to English football after impressing since his move to the Serie A.
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