Leeds United chief makes contact with Taylor Harwood-Bellis reps, loan-to-buy deal on cards for Manchester City defender

Leeds United chief Nick Hammond has made contact with the representatives of Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to Leeds-Live.

Writing on their official website (2 August), journalist Beren Cross reports that Hammond and scout Gary Penrice held tentative talks about a potential deal with City looking for £15m to allow him to leave.

The England Under-21 captain has just 12 months remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium, and City could offer him a new deal then loan him out with an obligation to buy instead to smooth over negotiations with interested parties.

“Pep Guardiola’s side would prefer a £15m permanent exit, but if suitors fail to bite, that price may drop and the prospect of another loan would be realistic,” they wrote.

“It remains to be seen how keen Leeds are to pursue Harwood-Bellis. Hammond and Gary Penrice, a scout who previously worked with Hammond at Celtic, are understood to have lodged tentative enquiries with the player’s representatives.

“It would not be a surprise to see City offer their youngster a new contract this summer. New terms would protect his value in the short-term and perhaps suit a loan exit with an obligation to buy at the end of it.”

Right now the centre-back options at Leeds United are slim after all the summer exits.

Max Wober and Robin Koch have both left for the Bundesliga on loan, leaving Daniel Farke with just Liam Cooper, Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk as his natural centre-back options.

Cresswell has just signed a new contract which is obviously great news for the future of the club, and finding him a new long-term partner with the quality and experience of Harwood-Bellis despite his age would be excellent business for Leeds.

He won the Championship last season with Burnley and shone at the European Championships as captain with England Under-21’s in the summer, so knows about competing at the business end of football.

A loan to buy deal may suit us better because of our position in the Championship right now, but if we can get him into Elland Road then it would be one of the better deals that anyone does this summer.

In other Leeds news, race on for free agent to sign for Leeds as club consider one-year deal.