West Ham and Crystal Palace boost in pursuit of £20m star engaged to Man Utd legend's daughter

West Ham and Crystal Palace have been handed a boost in their potential pursuit of Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer.

The 23-year-old looks set to be relegated to the Championship with the Saints. The South Coast outfit have just nine points on the board after 27 outings and are 13 points clear of safety.

As is so often the case with relegated clubs, Southampton will fancy their chances of bouncing straight back up into the Premier League next year but that mission is not thought to be enough to keep Harwood-Bellis at St Mary’s Stadium. Football Insider claims this week that the defender is desperate to play top flight football next term and will push for a Saints exit as and when relegation is confirmed.

Southampton man determined to keep Premier League status

That’s good news for the Hammers and the Eagles, who are said to be waiting in the wings to swoop. Harwood-Bellis has impressed despite his team’s form this season, having completed a £20 million permanent move from Manchester City last summer.

The defender broke into the England squad under Lee Carsley, scoring in his debut during the 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. Speaking about his former player after Southampton faced Manchester City last year, Pep Guardiola told the Daily Echo: "I'm happy that he is settling into the Premier League. He's an incredible threat for Southampton from set-pieces.

"The composure when he has the ball - I think the manager insists it doesn't matter how well you play, you have to be close. You have to move different lines.

"Aaron Ramsdale was magnificent with the ball today, how good he linked inside and how good he linked lateral ball. I showed many images to the team to warn them. I said 'Guys, today you will do the right thing in moments and you will not be able to take the ball.' We had to be strong in the mind to continue because they are good."

West Ham could view Harwood-Bellis as the ideal candidate to partner Max Kilman at centre-back with questions over Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are facing a fight to keep hold of Marc Guehi.

Harwood-Bellis engaged to daughter of Man Utd legend

Harwood-Bellis has also made a name for himself thanks to his famous fiancée. The Southampton man is engaged to Leah Keane, the daughter of Manchester United legend Roy.

The two have been dating for several years but had kept the relationship away from the public eye until getting engaged on a yacht off Italy’s Amalfi Coast last year. Keane joked about the engagement earlier this season when on punditry duties.

He said: "It's not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you!

"He's got a goal threat in him, even playing for Southampton. It's nice for him. He's a nice kid, his family's done a good job."

In other news, ex West Ham and Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has been linked with a sensational return to Premier League management.