In light of his €35 million (£30 million) asking price, Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has told the Saints that he wants to leave the team this summer and pursue a move to Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.

Southampton striker Harwood-Bellis has reportedly informed the club that he wants to leave St Mary’s this summer and join Benfica, but the Saints are unwavering in their €35 million (£30 million) valuation, according to Portuguese publication Correio da Manhã.

Benfica, now led by Marco Silva, a former manager of Watford, Hull City, Everton, and Fulham, has already had an offer for the former England international turned down this summer. They are anticipated to step up their pursuit this week.

Benfica is interested in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who shakes Southampton with a transfer request.

After rising through the ranks at Manchester City, Harwood-Bellis, 24, played on loan for a number of teams, including Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht, Stoke City, Burnley, and Southampton. In the summer of 2024, he secured a permanent transfer to the Saints after his £20 million buyout obligation was fulfilled after promotion.

The two-time Champions League champions are showing significant interest in the ball-playing defender, who has been a mainstay in the South Coast’s defence since his arrival. However, he may soon be leaving.

It would be a “massive blow” to lose Harwood-Bellis this summer, as an exit may now be imminent, according to Football League World’s Southampton fan analyst Louis Harris.

Over the weekend, Southampton rejected a reported €20 million (£17 million) proposal from Benfica for the Englishman, with the Saints wanting almost double that amount.

With a contract that expires in the summer of 2028, the Saints are not immediately under pressure to sell their star defender for a low price, but the fact that he has made it clear that he wants to leave the team is still a major setback. It remains to be seen if the Portuguese team will be prepared to match Southampton’s valuation.

Why Benfica is interested in Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton

In Sunday’s 2-1 loss away to Watford, Harwood-Bellis made his 134th appearance for the Saints, but he missed a fantastic late opportunity to tie the score.

With one England cap in a fiercely contested back line and over 150 games in the Championship and 34 in the Premier League, the 24-year-old defender is more than capable of making the move to the top level in Portugal this summer.

Premier League statistics and the Taylor Harwood-Bellis Championship

Appearances

189

Objectives

11

helps

8

Cards in yellow

32.

Throughout his professional career, Harwood-Bellis has shown himself to be a threat in both areas. In just the previous season, he scored seven goals and provided two assists, totalling nine direct goal contributions from centre back in 41 Championship games.

He is a highly sought-after prospect for several European clubs, notably Benfica, due to his ability to play defense-splitting passes and bring the ball out from the back. Southampton is unwilling to part ways with him cheaply.

The Englishman, who is still only 24, has plenty of time to continue honing his skills, and relocating to a new nation and league with the potential to play regular continental games will only benefit him.

Southampton supporters respond to the shocking revelation about Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Southampton fans have responded to the current scenario on X in the wake of the shocking revelation that Harwood-Bellis wants to leave the team.