Manchester City starlet Taylor Harwood-Bellis is being targeted by a host of clubs this summer, and the defender could be allowed to leave in a permanent deal.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Burnley, helping the Clarets achieve promotion, and is now wanted by Fulham,
West Ham United and Leeds United.
A report from The Sun On Sunday (in print, 30/7, page 59) has claimed that the three clubs are all interested in the England
under-21 international, who could be allowed to leave City for £15m this summer.
Burnley are reportedly not willing to match his asking price, and this could open the possibility of a move elsewhere within
the Premier League.
What should City do with Harwood-Bellis
Although highly talented, there is little space in the City defence for Harwood-Bellis to gain enough game time to develop
well, and a move away, like his fellow academy graduates James Trafford and Shea Charles, with a buy-back clause, may be
the best move for all parties.
Burnley manager, City legend Vincent Kompany, worked with the centre-back at Anderlecht and at Turf Moor, has
previously praised the Englishman, despite the fact that he is not currently pursuing a deal to re-sign him.
“He really has an outstanding attitude and he’s got good habits of high-level professionals. His level is for everyone to see. I
had him when he was at Anderlecht, and he’s a better player now,” he stated.
The defender made 35 appearances for Burnley, scoring once and assisting twice as he helped his side return to the Premier
League, and he may be ready to join a side in the top flight after a number of loans in the Championship.
This could rule Leeds out of a move, whilst joining West Ham could allow him to play in the Europa League. If City reach an
offer that matches his valuation, it seems likely that they would be willing to do a deal.
READ NEXT
BURNLEY SUBMIT OFFER FOR GALATASARAY’S SACHA BOEY
Goal journalist Marc Mechenoua is reporting that Burnley have submitted an offer for Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey (22).
Having secured promotion back to the Premier League, Burnley have had an ambitious transfer window thus far. Whilst the
Lancashire club were rejected by free agent Han-Noah Massengo earlier this month, Vincent Kompany’s side are still on the
lookout for young French talents.
This search has led them to Boey, who according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, was of interest to Arsenal earlier
this summer.
Romano added that Boey is likely to move to the Premier League this summer and Burnley have now made concrete
advances to sign the former youth international. A bid has been submitted to Galatasaray, and discussions over the
Frenchman’s transfer are ongoing. Boey was a mainstay in Galatasaray’s title-winning side last season, scoring one goal and
registering four assists. It is unclear how much Burnely have offered for Boey, but Romano reported in May that the
Turkish side valued him at around €25m.
Leave a Reply