- Southampton have been eliminated from the Championship play-off final
- West Ham United are in the Premier League relegation zone
- Captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis could lead Saints’ departures after overturned EFL decision
The turmoil surrounding Southampton may present West Ham United with a unique market opportunity as they get ready for another vital summer overhaul.
Following the now-infamous “Spygate” controversy, the Saints were eliminated from the Championship play-off final, leaving the team in a precarious financial and sporting position. A four-point punishment for the upcoming season has further increased worries about possible player departures.
Many of Southampton’s best players now face an uncertain future at St Mary’s after their unsuccessful appeal essentially closed the door on an immediate comeback to the Premier League. After spying on opposing training sessions, the club acknowledged repeated violations of EFL regulations.
West Ham may have the ideal chance to acquire proven Championship-quality players, regardless of their league status by the end of the week.
So, who are the three players West Ham can realistically target from Southampton?
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
West Ham’s interest in acquiring a centre-back in the summer has been no secret. Their current crop faces an uncertain future for various reasons, and, with that, the Hammers will surely be looking to invest in a long-term option, irrespective of their financial situation.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been at six clubs in the last seven years, but at 24, he’s edging closer to taking the leap that many have expected of him since his youth days at Manchester City. Harwood-Bellis has been up and down the leagues with Southampton over the past three seasons, and this current campaign will likely end his tenure as he seeks his next contract (his current deal expires in 2028).
Rightfully, the centre-back will back himself to earn an improved deal in the market with a club with higher ambitions. Harwood-Bellis is certainly one of the best defenders in the league, with his ball-playing standing out amongst his peers – third in the Championship for accurate passes per 90 (60.9).
Harwood-Bellis is engaged to one of Roy Keane’s daughters, Leah, and has likely taken a few leadership pointers from the former Manchester United skipper in his captain duties with the Saints, something that West Ham’s campaign has sorely exposed as lacking.
Shea Charles
Shea Charles was the scorer of the infamous goal that sent Southampton momentarily into the playoff final before the EFL’s successful intervention. Although the result will likely be tainted, Charles’ development this season has been faultless.
Until this season, the Man City academy graduate’s career on the south coast had been ineffective; however, in the Championship, following the departure of now-West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes, Charles has been a mainstay under Will Still and then Tonda Eckert.
The 22-year-old has added additional finesse to his game. Usually one of the biggest, fastest and bravest players on the pitch growing up, the Northern Irishman has gradually gained the ability to use his size in carries and knack for goals. Of course, Shea was the late match-winner in Southampton’s thrilling FA Cup quarter-final win against Arsenal: ghosting into space on the edge of the box, taking the ball in his stride before slotting it past Kepa; it was only weeks before when he scored a swerving screamer against Oxford United that only gets better with every alternate view.
Shea, like his burgeoning goalkeeping brother Pierce at Sheffield Wednesday, has seen interest in his profile grow, which will only rise after Southampton’s expulsion. He has replaced Fernandes before; why not do it again?
Léo Scienza
On the older side, compared to the aforementioned duo, the 27-year-old Léo Scienza was an instrumental creative force in Southampton’s promotion push. According to Fotmob, no player created more than his 21 big chances, and only Gustavo Hamer (12) and Sorba Thomas (11) had more than his 10 assists.
In a similar ilk to Crysencio Summerville, whose improved form in East London has garnered interest from abroad, Scienza is a weaving, left-winger who thrives in the half-spaces. The Brazilian isn’t blessed with Summerville’s pace, but has even carved out an inventive skill set in the Bundesliga with Heidenheim that is conducive to the physical demands of the Championship.
Saints signed Léo Scienza for £7.8 million and have seen his value rise to £8.6 million in his year at the club; any deal will likely start at the former figure, and, given the fee Summerville is likely to demand, a move for Scienza is something West Ham can profit heavily from.
