Everton shown clear path to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis after Southampton transfer latest

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Credit: Imago Wed 3 June 2026 15:39, UK Everton should be confident of agreeing a deal to sign Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis ahead of both Coventry and Hull City this summer.Several Saints players are looking to leave the club this summer after the ‘Spygate’ scandal saw their Championship promotion hopes dashed.Harwood-Bellis was key to their improved run of form in the second half of the campaign and is widely expected to leave now that they have remained in the second-tier.Everton were linked with a move for the one-time England international in the winter, and will surely be his first-choice destination if they revisit their interest in the coming months.It looks as if Everton’s transfer window will include plans to sign a new centre-back as David Moyes aims for a top-half finish next season.Everton are a more attractive move than Coventry or Hull for Taylor Harwood-BellisHarwood-Bellis was key to Southampton making the play-off final as he assisted Shea Charles’ late winner against Middlesbrough, and he proved his quality as one of the best Championship centre-backs throughout last season.Minutes played127′Assists1Accurate passes78/91Passes into final third14Clearances8Recoveries5Harwood-Bellis’ stats in semi-final second-leg vs Boro MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Everton were interested in Harwood-Bellis as they chased an addition to 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 would push to leave the club this summer if they were unable to seal promotion.Now that his dreams of returning to the top flight with Southampton have been dashed, Harwood-Bellis is available for transfer, with several clubs lining up a move for his services.According to a new report from talkSPORT, Coventry and Hull City are the latest teams interested in signing the 24-year-old after their respective promotions to the top flight.Everton would surely be a more attractive proposition than either side, as they both seem likely to endure an instant relegation back to the Championship.He will have ambitions of furthering his career as a Premier League regular, which Everton are in a much better position to offer than either newly-promoted side.The Toffees only employ one centre-back younger than Harwood-Bellis, in Jarrad Branthwaite, so he would also add some much-needed youth to their ageing defensive options.If Everton remain keen on signing the Saints star, they should definitely now feel confident of securing his signature considering the competition they are up against.Harwood-Bellis has made it clear that he wants to play in the Premier LeagueHarwood-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.”Everton can offer him exactly what he wants from next season onwards, with Harwood-Bellis surely likely to jump at the chance to move to Merseyside over Coventry or Hull. 🔵 Everton FC Master Hub 🔵 The definitive digital directory for the Toffees.

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