Southampton ‘rest’ key defender target after midweek bid as West Ham seek Disasi alternative

THE problem West Ham face having waited for most of the summer transfer window for their first choice – Axel Disasi – to rejoin his former team mates – is that when that transfer target rejects the chance to join and heads instead off to a former competitor, there isn’t much time left to find an alternative.

West Ham’s transfer window was, we were told, different this summer since the club would prioritise individuals rather than scatter-gun, Sullivan-style bidding for half a dozen players, merely to see who was available on the cheap.

That focussed approach might have landed Arne Engels but it hasn’t worked with Axel Disasi, who perhaps unsurprisingly rejected a drop down to the Championship and has, apparently, agreed a season-long loan at Crystal Palace.

Which leaves the Hammers hastily seeking an alternative from their shortlist.

Chances are it won’t be Southampton’s Taylor Harwood Bellis, according to yesterday’s daily echo, who confirmed Aston Villa’s first bid of £18 million has been rejected but the Birmingham side are about to return with another bid: ‘Southampton’ boss details Harwood-Bellis absence after Aston Villa bid”

So close seems a deal, as they reported, that the defender was left out of yesterday’s Championship game against Stoke City.

West Ham have long been admirers of the England full International defender but now that Aston Villa have bid – and had rejected – £18 million for the centre back, the Hammers will need to look elsewhere as both the player and his club will be keen to complete a move that doesn’t inadvertently strengthen a Championship rival.

With the Premier League and Villa’s Champions League football calling for Harwood Bellis, little ol’ West Ham will have to find an alternative to strengthen their defender resources  – pretty sharpish – in the 8 days remaining of the transfer window.