Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a deal worth €35m including bonuses, according to football transfer insider Florian Plettenberg.
The 23-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Birmingham club, with a medical scheduled to take place shortly. The transfer has not yet been completed, but negotiations between the two clubs have resulted in an agreement over the move.
Harwood-Bellis has been playing for Southampton and is now set to leave the club for Aston Villa. The proposed fee consists of an initial amount and additional bonuses, taking the overall value of the deal to €35m.
The defender came through the academy system at Manchester City. His move to Aston Villa would therefore represent another major step in the career of a player developed by the Premier League club.
Harwood-Bellis enjoyed a productive campaign last season, making 48 appearances. He scored seven goals and provided three assists during that period, underlining his contribution at both ends of the pitch.
Aston Villa are preparing to complete the next stage of the transfer, with Harwood-Bellis due to undergo a medical before formalising his move. Once that process is finished, the defender is expected to become a long-term addition to the squad.
The agreement reported by Plettenberg places the focus on the final procedures rather than further negotiations between Aston Villa and Southampton. The clubs have settled on the financial terms, while the player is expected to commit his future to Aston Villa through a long-term employment contract.
Harwood-Bellis’ performances last season have provided the foundation for the transfer. Across 48 matches, he recorded seven goals and three assists, figures that reflect an influential campaign for Southampton.
His background at Manchester City also forms a notable part of the move. Having developed at the club’s academy, Harwood-Bellis has continued his progression away from Manchester and is now poised to join Aston Villa.
The transfer remains subject to the medical and the completion of the necessary formalities. However, the agreement between the clubs means Aston Villa are close to securing the defender for a total fee of €35m with bonuses.