Spurs circling around Southampton defender | OneFootball

According to a report from media publication TBR Football, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing central defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the summer transfer window.

They report that the club are not alone in their interest, with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, and West Ham United also said to be "circling around" the player.

Spurs one of a number of clubs looking at Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Furthermore, it is stated that the player is set to be part of the "exodus" at the club this summer, with relegation to the Championship a matter of when, not if. The player is keen to get a move back to the Premier League, in order to try and get his way into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad in 2026.

In terms of international career, he couldn't have made much of a better start. Back in November, he came on as a second half substitute when England played the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, for his senior debut. Within minutes, he headed home to mark his debut with a goal, and a 5-0 win. In that game, former Spurs striker Harry Kane partnered current Spurs striker Dominic Solanke for the final quarter of an hour.

No doubt there will be some scoffs at this from the readers, and understandably so. The defender has been part of a side that has conceded 65 goals in just 27 games. However, it is still important to consider that it is a team game, and he is playing in a dreadful side. For quite a while, the recently turned 23-year old has been someone with a strong reputation in the game.

Much like the also Spurs linked Liam Delap, Harwood-Bellis was at Manchester City as a youngster (albeit, he is actually an academy player, not signed from Derby at 16 like Delap), and Pep Guardiola's side are said to have a buyback clause for the player, just like they do with the Ipswich Town striker.

Let's see. Admittedly, not the most exciting transfer rumour we have ever aggregated. Can't see this changing the mood of a loss to AZ Alkmaar. Still. There is a good player in there. With Tuchel announcing his first squad as England manager next week, maybe we will see Harwood-Bellis' name along side Djed Spence's in the defence - and perhaps Archie Gray too.

In fact, as recently as October, the Southampton defender played with Gray for the England U21 side, as they beat Ukraine 2-1 to secure qualification for the U21 Euros that take place next summer. He was part of the squad that won the tournament in 2023.