Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been thriving under Vincent Kompany at Burnley. Following a centurion season for the Clarets in the Championship earning promotion to the Premier League.
The Manchester City graduate had been on loan to Burnley for the 22/23 season. However, the 21-year-old centre-back is out of contract in 2024 and the blues will hope to have his future decided before then.
Despite Transfer Market estimating the England youngster at £20m; sources close to the club put that figure at around £15m.
Should Burnley want to make his stay permanent ahead of their return to the Premier League in August, they will have to agree on City’s estimation.
He made 35 appearances across all competitions for Burnley, scoring one and assisting two. Equally as important as the 13 clean sheets he helped maintain, conceding 27 goals – the games in which he featured.
Breaking through to the first team is no easy task for the Elite Development Squad graduates. There are rare exceptions to players finding success within the senior squad. As it stands, Phil Foden is the benchmark.
Academy graduates have admitted that Foden has been their inspiration. However, even those who spend time around the first team do not always find success.
It is looking good for Rico Lewis though, who has signed a new contract according to sources close to the deal.
With negotiations on going between City and RB Leipzig for Gvardiol, who will be added to a wealth of centre-backs, will Taylor Harwood-Bellis return to Manchester City?