Even though they aren’t participating, the Tractor Boys might be closely following the playoffs.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ipswich Town could capitalize on Southampton’s potential failure to secure Premier League promotion to sign Harwood-Bellis.
- Harwood-Bellis desires Premier League football, making Ipswich an attractive option if Southampton doesn’t achieve promotion.
- The Tractor Boys may secure the talented young defender as they aim to reinforce their squad for a challenging Premier League season.
In the final stretch of the Championship, even if Suffolk Town is able to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League, they might still be keeping an eye on the play-offs in case they want to surprise one of their fellow second-tier rivals.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a young defender on loan from Manchester City, has had a fantastic season leading the Saints’ defence, and they will undoubtedly want to hang onto him if they can.
But the South Coast club has struggled lately, and it appears that their chances of getting promoted are in jeopardy. If their worries come true, Harwood-Bellis might be lost.
On the other hand, the Tractor Boys could try to take advantage of Southampton’s predicament as they are well-positioned to secure an automatic spot in the Premier League.
Without Premier League football, Saints run the risk of losing Harwood-Bellis.
The 22-year-old has adapted well to St Mary’s Stadium, and despite his youth, it is evident from his steady performances that he is at ease there.
He has proven how important he has become by picking up 38 starts in the middle of the Saints defence this season, and the team would undoubtedly want to hang onto the young player if at all possible.
After signing his short-term contract, Harwood-Bellis has made it clear that he wants to stay with the team—but only if they return to the Premier League.
| Harwood-Bellis’s league loan history, as per Transfermarkt | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team (Season) | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Southampton (23/24) | Championship | 38 | 2 | 3 |
| Burnley (22/23) | Championship | 32 | 1 | 2 |
| Stoke City (21/22) | Championship | 22 | 0 | 1 |
| Anderlecht (21/22) | Jupiler Pro League | 16 | 0 | 2 |
| Blackburn Rovers (20/21) | Championship | 19 | 0 | 0 |
This idea is also reflected in his loan agreement, which would be activated if Southampton were to win the Premier League, giving Saints the chance to sign the England U21 for a fee of £20 million during the next transfer window.
Harwood-Bellis has become essential to Southampton, so losing out on promotion could be expensive in two ways.
Some of the top Championship clubs are interested in the 24-year-old Hammer, so he should be moving this summer regardless.
In an agreement signed last summer to safeguard his value once this point was reached, Harwood-Bellis is contracted to City until the summer of 2025. However, it looks like this summer will be the ideal time for him to leave the Etihad in pursuit of regular first-team action at the highest level.
Although the brief extension seems to indicate that this was always the plan, it seems doubtful that the young defender will overtake more seasoned players like Ruben Dias at this early point in his career.
Harwood-Bellis won’t want to go back to playing in the academy or as a squad player at City since he has become accustomed to playing regularly and is now an important part of the senior squad. Doing so could be detrimental to his development and all of the hard work he has put in this season.
He is adamant about wanting to play in the Premier League, though, so if Southampton is unable to meet his demands, Ipswich may be the solution—that is, if they are able to advance as well.
Ipswich could be in a great position to steal the deal if the Tractor Boys win and Southampton falters in the play-offs.
Harwood-Bellis would bolster the squad ahead of a tough season
Ipswich would probably find that a quick switch to the Premier League is the hardest test they have faced in a while, having only been promoted from League One the previous season.
With only a few established centre backs and an overabundance of full backs, they are also lacking in defenders at the moment. As a result, they will probably need to bolster their defence in preparation for a season in which they will be defending more than attacking.
Ipswich will probably be the only team interested in Harwood-Bellis if Southampton doesn’t get promoted, but they will have the benefit of being able to offer the young defender guaranteed first-team minutes in the Premier League, which may not be available elsewhere.
Even if their automatic promotion is confirmed, the Tractor Boys will be keeping a close eye on the play-offs and should take advantage of their position if it opens up a signing window for Harwood-Bellis.
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