Taylor Harwood-Bellis has now been speaking about his time on loan at Southampton away from Manchester City.
The 21-year-old spoke to the Daily Echo about life under Russell Martin.
So, what did Taylor Harwood-Bellis say about his time away from Manchester City so far? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the England Under-21 international has now admitted that he would love to stay at Southampton on a permanent basis, if the Saints are promoted back into the Premier League.
Harwood-Bellis said: “If we get promoted. Yeah, 100%. That’s the drive of the whole club, to get back to the Premier League, and that’s where I want to be. I wouldn’t have come here if that wasn’t the club’s ambition. If someone said to me, you’ll be playing for Southampton in the Premier League next year, I’d snap your hand off.
“I’ve loved it here, it’s a lovely part of the world. I’ve settled in well and that’s due to the staff, the players and everyone at the club. I’m enjoying my time here.”
Harwood-Bellis, who received praise from Ashley Cole during the summer, has started eight of Southampton’s 14 Championship games so far this season, scoring one goal as the Saints sit fourth in England’s second tier.
Manchester City and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have already agreed to part ways if Southampton are promoted
Interestingly, it doesn’t really matter if Harwood-Bellis enjoys life at Southampton or not – he will have to stay if the Saints are promoted.
According to the BBC, Southampton agreed a £20m obligation to buy the central defender if they make an immediate return to the Premier League, not an option to buy.
Therefore, the Saints will have no choice but to buy Harwood-Bellis if they achieve promotion.
Fortunately, the Stockport-born defender does seem content with life at St Mary’s.
If Harwood-Bellis wasn’t enjoying his time at Southampton, it would make that £20m obligatory purchase clause a little awkward in the event of promotion.
