Aston Villa have second bid to sign England international as potential Ezri Konsa replacement rejected

Aston Villa have had an improved offer for Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected by Southampton, talkSPORT understands.

Villa are looking to sign a new centre-back before the end of the summer transfer window on September 1 with Ezri Konsa completing a £50million move to Arsenal earlier in the week.

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Tosin Adarabioyo and Fikayo Tomori are among a list of centre-back targets for Villa.

Another option is Harwood-Bellis, although Villa’s offers have been rebuffed with Saints valuing him at £30million.

The first offer is understood to be a package worth £20m, and the second is an improved one but still not to the satisfaction of the Championship club.

talkSPORT understands that Villa are confident they will get a deal done, however.

Harwood-Bellis is a graduate of the Manchester City academy before making a permanent move to Southampton in 2024.

He initially joined on loan for the 2023/24 season, with his move then made permanent for a £20m fee after promotion to the top flight.

Harwood-Bellis, who is engaged to and is set to have a child with Roy Keane’s daughter Leah, has made 134 appearances in defence for the Saints and been captain on numerous occasions.

The 24-year-old is also an England international as he earned his sole cap and scored against the Republic of Ireland in November 2024.

Who have Villa sold this summer?

Villa have experienced a summer of big change, despite winning the Europa League at the end of last season.

Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne are among the key departures for Unai Emery’s side.

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Ollie Watkins is pushing for a move to Al Hilal having missed Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday, with Unai Emery hinting the striker refused to play.

Meanwhile, Emi Martinez could still leave amid a failed transfer to Juventus.

Should the pair exit Villa Park along with Konsa, then only five of the starting XI that beat SC Freiburg in the Europa League will be left.

They would be Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, John McGinn and Emi Buendia.

However, Villa have been active in terms of incomings, with Swiss star Johan Manzambi joining in a £51.2m move from Freiburg.

Joao Gomes, who endured a Villa debut from hell on Sunday, then joined from West Midlands rivals Wolves for £35m.

On Wednesday, Villa completed the signings of Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Zuzuki.

The former has arrived from Atletico Madrid, whilst the latter signed from Parma.