Benfica €20m offer for Harwood-Bellis rejected by Southampton
The Portuguese club have had an opening €20m proposal for the 24-year-old centre-back turned down, with Southampton open to a sale if their valuation is met and the player open to the move.
Benfica have submitted a €20 million bid to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton, which has been rejected after falling short of the English club’s valuation.
According to David Ornstein, Southampton remain open to doing business if their price is met. The report adds that Benfica head coach Marco Silva wants the 24-year-old centre-back and that Harwood-Bellis is receptive to the possibility of a switch to Lisbon.
The turned-down proposal sets out the parameters for any further dialogue. There is no agreement between the clubs and no figure has been disclosed for Southampton’s asking price, but the indications are that an improved offer from the Portuguese side would be needed to move the situation forward.
For now, Southampton’s stance is to hold to their valuation, while Benfica’s interest under Silva points to defensive reinforcements being a priority. Whether the Lisbon club return with revised terms will shape the next steps in this one.