Burnley are apparently looking at a reunion with Southampton FC centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

According to FourFourTwo, the Saints are currently failing to build a prolonged promotion challenge in the Championship under new manager Tonda Eckert.

Eckert had come under fire for the South Coast club’s previous poor run of results in the second division, but they were able to secure their first win since December 10th in midweek when Leo Scienza’s effort defeated Sheffield United.

The timely accumulation of those three points has moved Saints up to 15th in the Championship, with 36 points from their first 28 games of the season – seven points behind the play-offs.

Although a slew of high-profile names and big earners left following their dismal solitary campaign back in the Premier League last time out, Harwood-Bellis was among those who stayed at St Mary’s in an attempt to immediately right those wrongs, initially under Eckert’s predecessor, Will Still, who was fired on November 2nd after only two victories in 13 outings.

So far, three more departures from Eckert’s squad have been confirmed this window, with Gavin Bazunu – who has since suffered an injury – joining Stoke City on loan for the rest of the season, while Ryan Fraser’s move to Western Sydney Wanderers followed Ronnie Edwards’ eventual permanent move to Queens Park Rangers after an intense period of speculation.

It has also been reported that Saints could lose their talisman, Adam Armstrong, as the striker considers a new challenge in his career, while the club could suffer a further blow if they lose the services of the one-time England international defender in the final days of the current winter transfer window.

Burnley are planning a potential reunion with Southampton FC’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis amid Premier League rivalry.

The former Manchester City academy graduate has been a member of the Saints’ team for two and a half years, arriving on loan from the North West club during their promotion-winning campaign in 2023/24 under Russell Martin.

Following the South Coast side’s triumph over Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May 2024, a provision in the loan deal was triggered, resulting in Harwood-Bellis’ £20 million move from the Etihad Stadium on a four-year contract until the summer of 2028.

Despite the club’s dismal season under Martin, who was fired months later, Ivan Juric, and Simon Rusk’s interim management in the final weeks of the campaign, the 23-year-old received his first senior call-up to the England national team in November 2024, providing a glimmer of hope.

It was an unforgettable era for Harwood-Bellis, who made his Three Lions debut with a brilliant header in a 5-0 hammering of the Republic of Ireland.

Although the Saints have been disappointing as a whole this season, Harwood-Bellis has been one of their best performers, scoring four times in 23 Championship appearances.

As a result, Football League World exclusively disclosed earlier this week that the centre-back had piqued the interest of a number of Premier League clubs, all of which had expressed their adoration for him.

FourFourTwo has now stated that one of the sides is Burnley, where the Stockport native earned promotion under Vincent Kompany in the 2022/23 season while on loan from Manchester City.

According to reports, the Clarets are genuinely interested in Harwood-Bellis and might complete a transfer either during the current window or in the summer, with the player and his entourage apparently keen to see such a move through.

Southampton could face a massive battle to retain Taylor Harwood-Bellis, despite Burnley interest.

Given his current ability and potential, Saints are likely to have a tough battle to keep Harwood-Bellis, who continues to amaze despite the club’s downward direction.

Of course, he would be in familiar surroundings in East Lancashire, but Scott Parker is the new manager after succeeding his previous Turf Moor boss, Kompany.

However, given the considerable interest from multiple teams, as well as the fact that Harwood-Bellis still has more than two years left on his contract, the Saints might undoubtedly profit from the £20 million they paid in 2024.

Several Southampton fans may be disappointed if he signs for Burnley at this time, since Parker’s club is presently eight points adrift of safety in the Premier League with 16 games remaining.