West Ham United have their sights set on snapping up an “exceptional” Premier League talent this summer, with a potential transfer fee of about £15m, as per a recent report.
Bringing in a new striker might be Graham Potter’s top priority when the transfer window opens, with Lille’s Jonathan David pegged as his prime target. That said, the manager’s also got his eye on bolstering the backline.
One name on the radar is Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga, who’s become a standout performer for the Lions in the Championship this season. Whether West Ham can tempt him away from a rival outfit, though, is still up in the air.
Tanganga’s no stranger to the Premier League, having cut his teeth at Tottenham Hotspur, and now there’s talk the Hammers might also be eyeing another top-flight star currently making waves.
A report from The Sun suggests West Ham are eager to land Southampton’s center-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who might be open to a switch this summer. With Southampton staring down relegation to the Championship, the timing could be ripe.
Harwood-Bellis recently switched agents—a hint he might be gearing up for a move—and Southampton would likely ask for around £15m.
That kind of price tag puts him within reach for West Ham, who are clearly hungry to freshen up their defensive ranks.
| West Ham United’s upcoming Premier League fixtures | Date |
| Leicester City (h) | February 27th |
| Newcastle United (h) | March 10th |
| Everton (a) | March 15th |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) | April 1st |
| AFC Bournemouth (h) | April 5th |
Harwood-Bellis impressing for club and country
It’s been a rough ride for Southampton this season, with relegation from the Premier League looming large, but their 23-year-old standout has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise struggling squad, consistently ranking among their top performers.
The Englishman’s impressive form earlier this year caught the eye of the Three Lions, earning him a call-up to the national team. He didn’t waste the chance either, capping it off with the fifth goal in a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland.
This ex-Manchester City player has been a steady danger in front of goal over the past 12 months, sitting in the 85th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes. On top of that, his defensive chops have shone through, landing him in the 99th percentile for blocks compared to others in his position.
The Southampton star has earned high praise in the past, with media figures calling him “exceptional,” and his showings this season make a strong case for him getting another shot in the Premier League.
With that in mind, West Ham would be smart to chase a deal for Harwood-Bellis this summer—especially since a £15m price tag feels like a steal, and Southampton’s bargaining power will likely take a hit if they slip back into the Championship.
