Saints have started early on the final day of the 2023 summer transfer window and have announced the signing of Manchester City central defender Taylor Harwood - Bellis on a one year loan deal.
Before most people had started work this morning Southampton FC had announced their first signing of the day with just 14 hours left of the transfer window.
It was not a surprise, he had been linked around 10 days ago and yesterday reports suggested that he was already in Southampton for a medical.
That has proved to be the case and Saints have steadied the Saints fans nerves by announcing the deal bright and early.
He has signed on a season long loan deal, but some reports are saying that there is an obligation to make this a permanent deal for £20 million if Saints are promoted, if that is the case then I would think this would be something we would be very keen to do.
Although still only 21 Harwood-Bellis already has extensive experience at Championship level, he has amassed 73 appearances in this division for Blackburn Stoke and last season Burnley, where despite an injury managed 32 games for the club as they stormed to promotion.
He has also played 16 games for Anderlecht in the Jupilo League in Belgium and across all competitions already has 101 starting appearances to his name, plus another 12 as sub.
So although young he has plenty of game time to his name and looks to be an astute loan signing as Saints make use of the loan system to keep their money in the bank for future purchases.
This means Saints are now top heavy with central defenders with not only our new signing, but Bednarek, Stephens, Mason Holgate, Bella-Kotchap & even Shea Charles as cover in that position.
I would suspect that Saints would be looking to move on Bella-Kotchap today and if that is not possible I would suspect that Jan Bednarek might be the surprise move of the day.
Southampton Director Of Football Jason Wilcox who knows the player well from working with him at Manchester City had this to say.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox said: "Taylor arrives with experience beyond his years, including a vast amount of games at Championship level which includes lifting the title last season.
"He’s someone who can help us immediately but also has huge potential to continue developing.
"Taylor’s attributes make him a perfect fit for our system and how we want to play, and I have no doubt he’ll prove to be a valuable addition.”