Ipswich Town now favourite to sign Manchester City Sensational

Ipswich Town now favourite to sign Manchester City Sensational

If Ipswich Town win promotion to the Premier League this season, they plan to sign Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Harwood-Bellis is currently on loan at Southampton, Ipswich’s promotion opponents, but the Tractor Boys are apparently looking for a permanent deal this summer.

Ipswich Town interested in Harwood-Bellis.

That is according to a report on Sunday from Alan Nixon via Patreon, who claims that Ipswich are ready to pounce if they defeat Southampton to promotion.

Interestingly, Nixon previously stated that Southampton had a permanent deal in place for Harwood-Bellis, and this latest revelation backs up that claim.

Nixon has reiterated that if Southampton are promoted, Harwood-Bellis will join the Saints on a permanent £15 million deal.

This is consistent with the defender’s words from October, when he expressed a desire for a permanent move to St Mary’s if promoted.

“If we are promoted, we will be completely satisfied. That’s the whole club’s drive, to get back to the Premier League, and that’s where I want to be,” Harwood-Bellis told the Daily Echo at the end of last year, when asked if he would be open to a permanent Southampton transfer.

That is the entire club’s drive to return to the Premier League, and that is where I want to be. I wouldn’t have come here unless that was the club’s goal.

“If you told me you’d be playing for Southampton in the Premier League next year, I’d snap your hand off.

“I haven’t given it much thought because it’s a long way away and we’ll have to work hard to get there.

“I enjoy it here; it’s a beautiful region of the globe. I’ve settled quite nicely, thanks to the staff, players, and everyone at the club.

“I’m enjoying my time here.”

Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ 2023/24 season so far, as per Transfermarkt
Competition	Matches	Goals	Assists	Yellow cards	Red cards
Championship	35	2	3	3	0
FA Cup	3	0	1	0	0
Total	38	2	4	3	0

Championship Promotion Race

Of course, the problem with the foregoing is that Southampton currently appears to be the least likely of the four clubs competing in the Championship promotion race to reach the top tier.

That is to say, they are currently fourth in the division, with fewer points than Leeds United, Leicester City, and, of course, Ipswich.

Saturday’s last-gasp winner against Watford boosted their hopes, but they still trail Leeds by six points, Leicester by seven, and Ipswich by eight, despite having one or two games in hand.

If the Saints do not advance, Nixon reveals that their arrangement to sign Harwood-Bellis has been called off, opening the door for Ipswich Town.

Potential Taylor Harwood-Bellis fee

Of course, by the end of the season, Harwood-Bellis will still have one year left on his Manchester City deal.

Having stated that, Ipswich will have to meet City’s expectations over the transfer fee.

With Southampton apparently agreeing to a £15 million deal, it appears that this is the price Man City will seek this summer if Ipswich Town comes calling.

With Premier League funds available if they progress, this does not appear to be a price tag that would deter Ipswich Town.

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