Aston Villa submit a second bid for Harwood-Bellis as Southampton finalizes their price and the star makes a decision.

Villa return with improved Harwood-Bellis offer

Aston Villa have submitted a second bid for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis as they continue their efforts to strengthen their central defensive options.

However, Southampton are standing firm over their valuation of the England defender, with the Saints believed to be demanding around £30 million before they are prepared to sanction a sale.

Villa’s latest proposal has improved on their original offer, but it still falls below Southampton’s asking price. Sources indicate that discussions between the two clubs remain ongoing, with negotiations gradually moving in a more positive direction despite the difference in valuation.

The future of Harwood-Bellis has become one of the major transfer stories involving both clubs as the summer window progresses.

Villa are eager to reinforce their defence following the departure of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, and the Southampton centre-back has emerged as their preferred option.

The 24-year-old is regarded as a player capable of strengthening Unai Emery’s squad, although Aston Villa are continuing to assess alternative targets in case a deal cannot be reached.

Southampton reject Villa’s opening proposal

Aston Villa first opened discussions with Southampton over Harwood-Bellis last week.

Their initial proposal was reportedly worth £18 million, but Southampton rejected the offer as it did not come close to meeting their valuation.

Villa have now returned with a second proposal that exceeds £20 million when potential add-ons are included.

Despite the increased amount, Southampton have once again indicated that the bid is still not enough to persuade them to sell.

The Saints are understood to value Harwood-Bellis at approximately £30 million and remain determined to receive a fee closer to that figure.

There is still a considerable difference between Southampton’s valuation and what Aston Villa are currently prepared to pay.

Nevertheless, negotiations are reportedly progressing, and there is optimism that the two clubs could eventually find a compromise.

Sources suggest the discussions are moving in the right direction, with Villa and Southampton gradually getting closer to a figure that could be acceptable to the south-coast club.

Personal terms are not expected to cause problems

One positive development for Aston Villa is that agreeing personal terms with Harwood-Bellis is not expected to be a major obstacle.

Villa began exploring the possibility of a move with confidence that the player would be open to joining the club.

Sources now indicate that Harwood-Bellis has made his position clear and is interested in completing a transfer to Villa Park.

The defender is reportedly keen on the opportunity to return to the Premier League and work under Emery.

His willingness to make the move could strengthen Aston Villa’s position as negotiations continue.

Although Southampton still control the player’s situation and can demand the fee they believe reflects his value, Harwood-Bellis’ desire to leave could add further pressure to the transfer discussions.

The defender’s stance reportedly also played a role in his absence from Southampton’s Championship match against Stoke City.

Harwood-Bellis left out against Stoke

Harwood-Bellis was not involved when Southampton defeated Stoke City 3-1 over the weekend.

His omission immediately attracted attention because of the growing speculation surrounding his future.

Reports now suggest that his interest in joining Aston Villa was one of the factors behind the decision to leave him out of the squad.

The absence naturally led Southampton supporters to wonder whether a transfer was close.

However, a deal has not yet been agreed, and the player remains a Southampton player while negotiations continue.

Southampton managed to cope without their key defender against Stoke, but his long-term future remains uncertain as Villa continue to pursue him.

The Saints face an important decision.

They can either continue to resist Villa’s offers in the hope of receiving their full £30 million valuation or eventually accept a compromise if negotiations reach a figure they consider reasonable.

Harwood-Bellis remains Villa’s preferred target

Despite exploring other options, Aston Villa continue to regard Harwood-Bellis as their leading choice to strengthen the centre of their defence.

Villa need additional defensive quality following Konsa’s departure to Arsenal, and the Southampton defender has been identified as the player they would most like to bring in.

At 24, Harwood-Bellis offers both experience and potential for further development.

He has already gained valuable experience at a high level and could fit into Emery’s plans as Villa look to remain competitive.

Villa’s continued pursuit of the defender demonstrates how highly they rate him.

The club have already seen two offers fall short of Southampton’s expectations, but they remain in discussions and appear determined to keep trying to find a solution.

However, they are also aware that Southampton’s £30 million asking price represents a significant investment.

That is why Villa have continued to monitor other defenders.

Villa enquire about Joel Ordonez

One alternative under consideration is Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez.

Villa have reportedly made enquiries about the highly-rated defender, who has attracted attention from several major clubs and has long been admired by Chelsea.

Ordonez is also believed to be interested in the possibility of working under Emery.

However, as with the Harwood-Bellis negotiations, the financial demands involved in a potential transfer could become a major stumbling block.

Club Brugge are reportedly seeking a fee in a similar range to Southampton’s £30 million valuation of Harwood-Bellis.

That creates a difficult situation for Villa.

The Midlands club are said to be reluctant to pay around £30 million for either defender, meaning they may need to negotiate hard or identify another, more affordable option.

For the moment, though, Harwood-Bellis remains the preferred choice.

Negotiations could continue

Aston Villa’s second bid may have been rejected, but the transfer is not considered dead.

The two clubs remain engaged in discussions, and there is a belief that their respective valuations are gradually becoming closer.

Southampton still want around £30 million, while Villa have moved beyond their original £18 million offer with a package now worth more than £20 million including bonuses.

The remaining question is whether Villa are prepared to increase their bid further or whether Southampton will eventually reduce their demands.

Harwood-Bellis’ willingness to join Villa could become increasingly important as the transfer window progresses.

If the defender continues to push for the move, Southampton may eventually have to decide whether holding out for their full valuation is worthwhile.

At the same time, the Saints are under no obligation to sell unless their conditions are met.

A crucial decision approaching

The next stage of negotiations could prove decisive for Harwood-Bellis’ future.

Aston Villa clearly remain interested and have already demonstrated their determination by returning with an improved offer after their first proposal was rejected.

Southampton, meanwhile, have established a clear valuation and are refusing to allow one of their most valuable defenders to leave cheaply.

The player’s decision provides Villa with encouragement, but his desire for a move alone will not complete the transfer.

An agreement between the clubs remains essential.

With Villa also monitoring Ordonez and other possible targets, the coming days could determine whether Harwood-Bellis eventually arrives at Villa Park.

For now, Villa remain short of Southampton’s £30 million asking price, but negotiations are continuing.

The defender has reportedly made it known that he wants the move, Aston Villa remain committed to reaching an agreement, and Southampton are waiting to see whether their final valuation will eventually be met.