Harwood-Bellis responds to James McAtee’s message ahead of England showdown
James McAtee will look to emulate Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer with the pair potentially set to become team-mates again.
The two Man City academy graduates underwent contrasting Premier League seasons in 2024–25, as McAtee struggled for game-time at the Etihad and Harwood-Bellis weathered a Southampton storm.
Harwood-Bellis started 32 of Saints’ 38 league matches as they won just 12 points and were relegated in record time, albeit the 23-year-old made a goalscoring debut for England against the Republic of Ireland.
McAtee’s 27 appearances in all competitions are by far the most he’s made in a single campaign for City, but just nine of these were starts and Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction his departure this summer.
McAtee looks to match Harwood-Bellis ahead of Man City exit
With Man City open to selling McAtee at the end of the season, West Ham are one of several clubs ready to launch a bid for the 22-year-old, but his focus at present is on England’s Under-21 Euros campaign.
West Ham are also keen to bolster their central defence and have long admired Harwood-Bellis, who captained Lee Carsley’s side to the Under-21 Euros title with a 1-0 victory against Spain in the final.
McAtee has the armband this time around for the Young Lions and led them to a 3-1 quarter-final win over La Roja in the quarter-finals, with England set to face the Netherlands in the last four on 25 June.
Ahead of that semi-final clash in Bratislava, England posted on Instagram with McAtee front and centre, which Harwood-Bellis shared on his story with the message of: “Best of luck tonight boys!”
West Ham moves a no-brainer for McAtee and Harwood-Bellis
Football Insider Verdict
Some fans will be reluctant for West Ham to sign players from a Southampton team which conceded 86 goals last term, but Harwood-Bellis’ England call-up last November shows that his stock is still high.
Few would argue if the Hammers win the race to sign McAtee this summer, but Nottingham Forest are currently seen as the front-runners and will also be able to offer the playmaker European football.
West Ham have ambition to get back onto the continent themselves though, and after missing out on Angel Gomes from Lille, Graham Potter could potentially plug their gap in creativity with another European champion.