It has been a tumultuous month for Southampton following their play-off expulsion, and it could be about to get even worse with the news that star centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis is the subject of Premier League and Championship attention.
The English defender played a key role in Southampton's redemption under Tonda Eckert last term, featuring in every Championship game since the German took over from Will Still at the start of November.
He was also pivotal in The Saints' run to the FA Cup semi-finals, playing the full 90 in the victories over Fulham and Arsenal as well as the devastating 2-1 loss to eventual winners Manchester City.
According to Football League World, stats of eleven clean sheets, seven goals and three assists have turned the heads of Premier League newcomers Coventry City and Hull City, with relegated West Ham also showing keen interest - a club that Southampton will likely see as promotion rivals next term.
Harwood-Bellis - who scored on his solitary England cap in 2024 - has Premier League experience, which will be attractive to the newly promoted sides.
Though the 2024/25 season in the top flight was a disaster for the Saints, the Stockport-born centre-half was the standout performer, and there was celebration among the south coast faithful when it emerged he would remain with them for their return to the Championship.
Those that were celebrating may now face the reality of losing the Englishman in order to balance the books and rebuild following last season's disappointment.
Both Frank Lampard and Sergej Jakirovic will undoubtedly know the size of the challenge that stands in front of them at Coventry and Hull respectively, with both clubs expected to make a plethora of signings over the course of the summer in a bid to survive in the Premier League next term.
The two sides both came under fire for their defensive performances at times during their promotion winning seasons, making it an area they must improve on before facing some of the world's best attackers.
They both have also proved that they can develop players.
Harwood-Bellis can perhaps take some inspiration from the likes of fellow centre-halves Bobby Thomas at Coventry and Charlie Hughes and Jacob Greaves at Hull City, who - at a similar age - will all be playing top flight football next season (Jacob Greaves with Ipswich, who signed him from Hull in 2024).
A move would likely not come cheap however, Southampton paid £20m for their lead centre-back just two years ago and he has two years left on the initial four-year deal he signed.
West Ham may therefore be priced out of a move, with them needing to offload talent before they can bolster their squad ahead of their first season out of the top flight in 14 years.
Although, there are plenty of players linked with moves away from the London Stadium, so if they can set the wheels in motion and sell some of their unwanted talent, there is a chance they would return with money to burn.
Harwood-Bellis may see the Irons as a more attractive prospect than Southampton, who are set to have a cloud hanging over them heading into pre-season and the 2026/27 campaign, with nobody able to predict how they may handle it.
One thing is for sure though, the Premier League is certainly a step up that the former Manchester City man would no doubt love to take, if he can't see the Saints returning there any time soon.
