Manchester City centre-back eyed for last minute summer exit following refusals to meet asking price

Taylor Harwood-Bellis could find himself subject to another loan move this summer, following a number of refusals from interested parties to meet his asking price.

The 21-year-old Manchester City academy graduate is widely seen as one of the brightest prospects in his position in the Premier League at present, however the ongoing summer transfer window has proved to be challenging.

Building on from a hugely successful campaign under Vincent Kompany at Burnley last season, starring in a defence that played an integral role in hitting 100 points in a single Championship campaign, the next phase of his development was expected to be seamless.

However, Manchester City’s valuation has meant that the player has struggled to see any progress with regards to permanent deals in the Premier League, and now could be headed back into the Championship for another campaign.

According to the information of journalist Alan Nixon, Manchester City are now ready to let Taylor Harwood-Bellis leave the club on loan in the remaining hours of the summer transfer window, after failing to find the central defender a buyer at their £15 million valuation.

It is claimed that Southampton have now ‘joined the pack’ of Championship clubs who have been waiting on such a development, while a return to Burnley could also be on the agenda following his successful spell at Turf Moor last campaign.

Leicester City and Leeds United are also tipped as potential candidates for Harwood-Bellis’ signature on a loan agreement, while Nixon details the clubs who believed Manchester City’s asking price was too much in recent weeks.

All of Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Wolves and West Ham all turned away from interest in the defender having been made aware of the Premier League champions’ asking price, according to Nixon’s report.

In more specific details regarding interested parties, Alfie House of the Daily Echo reports that Southampton are ‘actively pursuing’ a loan move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and hope that a deal could be done ‘late’ on Thursday.

Darren Witcoop corroborates the suggestion of interest, stating on Thursday afternoon that the Championship club are now expected to seal a deal for the temporary arrival of the England under-21 international.

The arrival of Josko Gvardiol at Manchester City this summer, replacing Aymeric Laporte following his move to Saudi Arabia, has meant that the pathway for young central defenders at the Etihad Stadium remains somewhat blocked.

Callum Doyle – another player held in extremely high-regard by coaches at the Etihad Stadium – has been forced to seek a temporary home this season, joining Leicester City in the Championship for the season and working under former Sky Blue coach Enzo Maresca.