Manchester city player reportedly keen for Southampton move com January

The Englishman is now on loan from Manchester City, who had great expectations for him given that he was able to establish himself as a vital member of England’s young team.

But after spending the most of the previous several years out on loan, it’s growing less certain as time goes on whether he would be able to permanently enter Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans.

Spending last season at Burnley and playing a big part in helping the Clarets to secure promotion, he looked to be in contention to seal a permanent switch to Turf Moor with Jordan Beyer joining permanently.

But a return to the Lancashire side failed to materialise in the end, potentially because they didn’t want to stifle the progress of Ameen Al-Dakhil who has plenty of potential and has played a respectable number of times for the Clarets this season.

Harwood-Bellis did manage to secure a summer move though, making the loan move to St Mary’s during the latter stages of the window to tighten up the Saints’ defence.

He had his debut in a 4-1 home loss against Leicester City, but the Saints have managed to improve their form since then and are now back on track after losing four consecutive league games.

Are Southampton likely to win promotion at the end of this season?

As mentioned, the south-coast side are now back on top form, going unbeaten in their last six league games, winning four and drawing two.

Securing 14 points from a possible 18 during this run, they are now sitting in fourth place and will be desperate to solidify their place in the promotion mix in the coming weeks and months.

Automatic promotion seems unlikely at this point considering how well Leicester and Ipswich Town are doing – but it can’t be ruled out at this point.

Leeds will be a tough opponent if the Saints play them in the play-offs, so you wouldn’t say the latter are firm favourites for promotion, but anything can happen in the play-offs.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ transfer admission

Many players don’t give much away when asked about their futures – but Harwood-Bellis was happy to admit that he’d like to seal another switch to his current loan side if they secure promotion.

He told the Daily Echo: “If we get promoted [I want to stay]. Yeah, 100 per cent. That’s the drive of the whole club, to get back to the Premier League, and that’s where I want to be. I wouldn’t have come here if that wasn’t the club’s ambition.

“If someone said to me, you’ll be playing for Southampton in the Premier League next year, I’d snap your hand off. I haven’t thought too much about that yet as it is a long way away and we have to grind to get ourselves there.

“I’ve loved it here, it’s a lovely part of the world. I’ve settled in well and that’s due to the staff, the players and everyone at the club. I’m enjoying my time here.”

Should Taylor Harwood-Bellis consider a permanent move to Southampton?

Considering he isn’t likely to secure a starting spot at the Etihad anytime soon, he needs to think about sealing a permanent switch next summer.

He doesn’t have to consider his playing position too much at this point.

While St. Mary’s would be a fantastic long-term home for him, he will likely want to move to a top-tier team at the end of the season after playing so much Championship football.

If he plays well, he could be able to accomplish this regardless of whether the Saints get promoted.

Though the defender doesn’t have to think about it too much, he should plan to leave the Etihad Stadium permanently at the end of the current campaign.