“Classy”: Pundit reveals transfer despite £15 million tug-of-war between Ipswich and Southampton

If Ipswich Town are promoted to the Premier League this season, they are interested in signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a Southampton loanee from Manchester City.

Harwood-Bellis is currently on loan at Southampton, Ipswich’s promotion opponents, but the Tractor Boys are apparently looking for a permanent deal this summer.

That is according to a report on Sunday from Alan Nixon via Patreon, who claims that Ipswich are ready to pounce if they defeat Southampton to promotion.

Interestingly, Nixon previously claimed that Southampton has a permanent deal in place for Harwood-Bellis, who will join the Saints in a £15 million trade if they are promoted this summer.

The 22-year-old has had Championship loans with Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Burnley, and now Southampton, and he has been captain of England’s U-21 team for some time.

Carlton Palmer’s issues Taylor Harwood-Bellis verdict as Ipswich and Southampton battle

Ex-England international Carlton Palmer feels Harwood-Bellis will be interested in the Premier League this summer, whether with Ipswich, Southampton, or somewhere in the top tier, given his recent performances at the top of the Championship.

Speaking exclusively to source, Palmer said: “There’s a lot of speculation around Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

“It looks like he’s set to leave Manchester City in the summer. He’s currently on loan at Southampton where he has been outstanding.

“He’s still only 22, and it’s believed that a deal has been agreed should Southampton get promoted. He will sign for £15 million on a permanent deal.

“The classy defender is looking at two successive promotions. Last season, he played a key role in Burnley’s title-winning team.

“He’s made 35 Championship appearances so far this season, with two goals, three assists, and 11 clean sheets for Southampton.

“The stumbling block will be if Southampton don’t get promoted, but with the results as they went this weekend, and with two games in hand, they will still be well in the race.

“I thought they were out of it but if they win their two games in hand, then they would be back in the automatic push, so they will face competition from other Premier League teams, because he has shown his quality.

“Although it has been at Championship level, he’s still only 22, and it’s clear that he will be able to make that step up.

“When you look at some players, you’re not really sure, but Harwood-Bellis will.

“At £15 million, for a classy centre-back, that would represent a good bit of business. Ipswich could be an option.

“They are looking like they may be automatically promoted and it would be a great signing for them.

“We’ve seen what the manager has done, and their recruitment has been spot on. If you get recruitment right, then you are in the position you are.

“Ipswich have been getting it all right from the manager to the recruitment staff.”

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has showed his Premier League quality for Southampton