Southampton's £20m purchase of defender Taylor Harwood Bellis has been worth every penny. But, while the fans await more from him at St. Mary's, his time at the Saints might be ticking out.
If you're a Southampton fan, this must be your cliche these days, "Fortune knocks once, misfortune keeps knocking." Such has been the club's fate recently.
Getting humiliated at home, losing players to injury, facing endless criticisms, they are facing anything and everything lately. Now, it isn't difficult to realize all these converge to their relegation.
But while a demotion to the Championship would be shameful, the club might go through a bigger humiliation than this.
Confused, what it would be? Southampton's star players leave them post-relegation on their will. If this thought wasn't scary enough, the Saints' Premier League contemporaries are brewing a plan for it.
Southampton could be forced to consider another prospect's exit besides Dibling
Recently, West Ham seems interested in talented Southampton prodigy. And guess who would be it? The Saints' best defender this season, Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
As per journalist Alan Nixon, West Ham is willing to offer Harwood-Bellis an exit path this summer. Topping it, the Hammers would get him at a discounted price if Southampton gets relegated.
Now, certainly, a move for Harwood-Bellis feels distressing, but this further realization makes it further gloomy.
Remember, Southampton made two signings from the Hammers last summer. And both of them, Cornet and Flynn Downes have flopped so far. Just imagine how unfair it would be if the Saints lose their best defender, Harwood-Bellis to West Ham, on a discount.
But see the dilemma Southampton fans embrace. Neither would they want the 23-year-old's exit, nor would they want to force him to continue given he deserves to play in the Top Flight.
For now, it's still some time in the summer transfer window. Precautionately, Southampton must prepare beforehand if Harwood-Bellis is to follow teammate Dibling out the exit door.