According to Sky Sports, West Ham will redirect their focus away from Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and complete the loan signing of Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has required defensive reinforcement throughout the January window, as the struggling Hammers sit in the relegation zone, having conceded the most goals in the top league this season.

The need for centre-backs intensified on Saturday, when Jean-Clair Todibo was ejected for aggressive conduct in their 3-2 loss to Chelsea, and will now serve time on the sidelines.

Late last week, reports connected Southampton’s Harwood-Bellis to a Premier League return at the London Stadium, but they also revealed that out-of-favour Disasi was on their radar.

And, after an initial offer for the former England international was turned down, it appears like West Ham have moved on to their second option ahead of the transfer window shutting at 7 p.m. today.

West Ham close in on loan agreement for Axel Disasi, and Southampton will be relieved.

According to Sky Sport’s Transfer Centre, on deadline day, West Ham are set to make a move for Chelsea defender Disasi, who has struggled at Stamford Bridge over the last year.

The Frenchman, who joined Chelsea for £38 million in 2023, has not played a senior game for the club since January 20th, 2025. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and this season he is a member of his current club’s ‘bomb squad’.

However, the 27-year-old is expected to transfer to the London Stadium, which will be good news for Southampton because it will virtually stop West Ham’s chase of Harwood-Bellis, who was offered a loan on January 30.

Southampton rejected the bid, although the 24-year-old was allegedly keen to returning to the Premier League, and the Saints may have struggled to keep him if terms were changed.

Harwood-Bellis joined St Mary’s on loan from Manchester City for the 2023/24 season, with a £20 million move sanctioned if they were promoted from the Championship, according to a stipulation in the deal.

The 24-year-old was unable to prevent Southampton from being demoted to the second division last season, but has been a major component in the Saints’ teams under Will Still and Tonda Eckert this season.

Harwood-Bellis is clearly a significant asset at St Mary’s, and Southampton appear sure to keep him for the time being, especially if West Ham completes a bid for Disasi.

Southampton may struggle to maintain Taylor Harwood-Bellis at St Mary’s as a Championship club.

While West Ham may be focusing on other targets as the transfer window closes, this does not mean that no other Premier League clubs are interested in Harwood-Bellis.

Everton and Burnley have both expressed interest in the former England international, and with reports claiming that the 24-year-old is open to returning to the Premier League, it may not be long until he is back.

Southampton are currently a mid-table Championship squad, having won 10, drawn 10, and lost 10 of their 30 league games this season.

However, they are only seven points away from a top-six finish, and it may be the only way they can keep Harwood-Bellis this season.

Southampton may keep the 24-year-old for the time being, but there is no doubt that he has the talent to play regularly in the Premier League. If Tonda Eckert’s squad finishes in the middle of the table this season, the former Manchester City youth may be more cautious about looking elsewhere.

As things stand, Harwood-Bellis looks certain to stay at St Mary’s for the rest of the season, and Southampton must have a strong finish to avoid these links returning in the summer.