Transfer Talk: Harwood-Bellis headed for City exit after England heroics

After skippering England to glory at the European Under-21 Championship, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is a wanted man.

Manchester City's 21-year-old defender earned a promotion on loan at Burnley last season and now looks ready to make his mark at Premier League level.

But with just one year left on his deal at the Etihad, a permanent exit may prove his best chance of doing so in 2023-24.

With West Ham and Fulham among those linked, we examine why the Stockport-born starlet is in demand.

City boy

Harwood-Bellis has witnessed City's meteoric rise to the top of English football first-hand, having joined the club at the age of six.

A member of their FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2020, he has appeared in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League under Pep Guardiola — though is still awaiting a Premier League debut.

Three successful Championship loans with Blackburn, Stoke and Burnley, as well as a stint with Belgian side Anderlecht, have given the youngster a solid foundation in senior football.

But while Harwood-Bellis is held in high regard by the Citizens, competition in Guardiola's Treble-winning squad is predictably fierce.

With the likes of John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all above him in the pecking order, becoming a regular with the English champions looks a tall order.  

Leap of faith

Speaking during his impressive loan at Turf Moor last term, Harwood-Bellis hinted that an Etihad exit was a possibility.

Asked about his chances of breaking in at his parent club, he remarked: "I can only do so much from my part. 

"I will keep putting in performances and doing my best. Whatever happens, happens.

“If I break into the first-team at City then I have achieved my goals, but if not I'll go down another route."

Leading by example

As well as the defensive solidity and outstanding passing range you would expect from a City graduate, Harwood-Bellis also possesses strong leadership qualities.

The 21-year-old ace has captained the Young Lions at various age groups and enjoyed his proudest career moment to date when lifting the U-21 European Championship last weekend.

Chelsea's Levi Colwill — his central defensive partner throughout the tournament — was called up to Gareth Southgate's senior squad in June after an injury to Lewis Dunk.

All signs suggest that Harwood-Bellis is held in a similarly high regard at St George's Park and given England's lack of depth at centre-half, he may not be far off a call-up of his own.

Stepping up

West Ham and Fulham both hold a concrete interest in Harwood-Bellis and City would supposedly permit a sale for an initial £15million.

That may seem a large figure for a player yet to play Premier League football, though it could also easily prove a bargain if he steps up as seamlessly as expected.

Legendary defender Kompany, who signed him for both Anderlecht and Burnley, certainly backs the youngster to keep on progressing.

In April, the Belgian said: "He really has an outstanding attitude and he's got good habits of high-level professionals. His level is there for everyone to see. 

"The player he is now today, give him another year or two, he's going to be a much-improved player again because he has the right attitude."

Harwood-Bellis' next move could easily prove a mere stepping stone on his path back to the very top.