Nottingham Forest have placed Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis on a potential list of targets before the transfer window slams shut. The champions are willing to let the England under-21 captain leave before Friday’s deadline.
According to The Telegraph, the Reds won’t be alone in this particular race. EFL outfits Leeds United and Southampton also keen to sign him before the window closes. It has been claimed, however, that Leicester are no longer in the race.
Harwood-Bellis is on the crest of a wave at the moment from his summer exploits. He was part of the England Under-21 team that won the European Championships; with the defender part of the defensive unit that didn’t concede a single goal.
The 21-year-old played in the same team as Morgan Gibbs-White at the tournament which took place this summer. As a result, the Reds might have no problem whatsoever in tempting the City youngster to head to Nottingham.
Forest now want Manchester City starlet Harwood-Bellis
Harwood-Bellis does have first-team appearances to his name at Manchester City. Back in 2019 after a Carabao Cup victory over Oxford United, the defender was labelled ‘fantastic’ by Raheem Sterling who gave him his Man of the Match accolade.
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Forest have a plethora of central defenders within their ranks. However, Harwood-Bellis does have something and over the course of last season, he won more headers than Forest captain Joe Worrall; albeit in a lesser division.
In total, he’s made eight appearances for City and he will be craving regular senior action. Last season, he was part of the Burnley team that romped to promotion and he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League.
The defender has also spent time on loan with Stoke, Anderlecht and Blackburn during the early stages of his career. Now, Harwood-Bellis is available for £15 million and Forest would dearly love to sign him before the transfer window closes.
Steve Cooper knows all about Harwood-Bellis. He managed the player during his time as the England under-17 head coach and perhaps now he’s keen to reunite himself with the very talented centre-back.