Aston Villa have reached a verbal settlement to signal Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton, with the defender now closing in on a return to the Premier League membership.
Softfootball understands that Villa have agreed to pay £25 million plus an extra £5 million in add-ons, taking the potential worth of the deal to £30 million.
Harwood-Bellis has given the inexperienced mild to the transfer, with private phrases understood to be progressing easily.
The remaining step is for the golf equipment to alternate and full the mandatory paperwork earlier than the switch may be formally finalised.
The transfer comes after Villa accomplished the departure of Ollie Watkins, who formally joined Al-Hilal in a deal reportedly value round £50 million plus add-ons.
Watkins leaves Villa after a powerful five-year spell, having joined from Brentford in 2020 and gone on to make 278 appearances and rating 108 objectives for the membership.
For Al Hilal, Watkins represents one other important attacking acquisition because the Saudi membership continues to draw established European expertise. His tempo, motion, physicality and Premier League expertise are anticipated so as to add a special dimension to their frontline.
Villa have additionally strengthened their assault with the £65 million signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, who has already accomplished his medical and signed his contract.
Jackson’s transfer to Villa additionally reunites him with Emery, who beforehand labored with the striker throughout their time at Villarreal. The supervisor is known to have performed an necessary function within the determination to convey the ahead to Villa Park.
Harwood-Bellis would now present one other necessary addition as Unai Emery continues reshaping his squad following Watkins’ departure.
The England worldwide beforehand established himself as a extremely regarded younger defender at Southampton and is now set to take the following step in his profession.
With the verbal settlement already in place and the participant’s approval secured, Villa and Southampton solely want to finish the paperwork earlier than Harwood-Bellis can formally develop into an Aston Villa participant.
