Southampton saga will put Everton on full-scale alert for Taylor Harwood-Bellis signing
Southampton's spygate scandal should be of interest to Everton as Taylor Harwood-Bellis will surely push to leave if they are thrown out of the Championship play-offs.
Southampton reached the Championship play-off final with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough after extra time on Tuesday night.
Their progression to the Wembley showpiece has been overshadowed by allegations of spying on Boro's training sessions in the lead-up to last week's first leg tie.
Recent reports have stated that the Saints could be expelled from the play-off final if an independent commission finds them guilty of gaining an unfair advantage on their opponents.
Southampton being denied promotion would surely be a boost to Everton's transfer plans, given their previous interest in key defender Harwood-Bellis and his aims for the future.
Everton could take advantage of Southampton charge with Taylor Harwood-Bellis approach
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has exclusively told Football Insider that Southampton could be booted out of the play-offs before the final is played on 23 May.
Harwood-Bellis was key to their win over Boro, with an assist for Shea Charles' late winner, and he has proved his quality as one of the best centre-backs in the second-tier throughout this season.
| Minutes played | 127' |
| Assists | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 78/91 |
| Passes into final third | 14 |
| Clearances | 8 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Everton were interested in Harwood-Bellis as they chased an addition to David Moyes' centre-back options.
He stayed at St Mary's beyond the January window, but journalist Alan Nixon soon revealed that the 24-year-old will push to leave the club this summer if they are unable to seal promotion.
The spygate scandal could deny Harwood-Bellis the chance to lead them back to the top flight, and Everton should be on red alert for the outcome of the saga, with a move surely on the cards if the Saints are thrown out of the play-offs.
Harwood-Bellis has made it clear that he wants to play in the Premier League
Harwood-Bellis has made one appearance for England's senior team so far, as he scored on his debut against the Republic of Ireland in November 2024.
He has insisted that he does not want to end his career on one cap, with a return to the Premier League key to such ambitions.
Speaking to Sky Sports last June, he said: "Obviously it’s a dream to play for England, but I want to stay there. I don’t want to be a one-cap wonder. I’ve got a long way to go, and I wouldn’t say that I’m close to the team at the minute just because of how the (2024-25) season went.
"I’ve got to do a job, but personally and selfishly, to get back in the England squad I need to be in the Premier League. We need to get promoted...everyone knows that we don’t want to be playing in the Championship."
Harwood-Bellis is clearly likely to force an exit if Southampton are found guilty of cheating, with Everton possibly waiting in the wings to swoop for his services once more ahead of next season.