Aston Villa transfer news: Unai Emery 'getting closer' to centre-back signing despite £24m rejected offer

Aston Villa are allegedly confident that they will eventually finalise the signing of Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

On Sunday, the West Midlands outfit produced one of their worst performances under Unai Emery, conceding four goals across the opening 31 minutes to lose 4-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion.

With that setback coming just two days after Ezri Konsa left for Arsenal and with Ollie Watkins seemingly continuing to push for an exit, Emery has been left increasingly desperate for new additions.

Signing at least one new central defender is the priority, and Villa were linked with a player over the weekend who recently made an impression at the World Cup.

However, as per Sky Sport Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, Villa remain keen on adding Harwood-Bellis to their ranks.

What is Harwood-Bellis, Aston Villa situation?

The report alleges that Southampton have rejected a proposal for the England international worth £24m.

That offer is said to have been a £20m guaranteed fee with a further £4m coming in add-ons.

Nevertheless, with negotiations continuing, it is suggested that there is 'a feeling' that the clubs are moving closer to reaching an agreement.

With Harwood-Bellis being left out of the Southampton XI against Stoke City over the weekend, it appears that a sale remains a realistic possibility.

There are two years remaining on the contract of the 24-year-old, who is eager to take the chance to play Premier League football.

Despite his status as an England international Harwood-Bellis has only ever play 34 games in the top flight.

Could Aston Villa sign two centre-backs?

Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings and Modou Keba Cisse are Emery's current centre-back options.

At this point in time, the unproven Keba Cisse is seemingly in line to remain with the first-team squad after starring for Austrian champions LASK Linz last season.

With Villa also needing to strengthen other areas of the pitch, Emery may be restricted to signing just the one centre-back, and the belief is that Harwood-Bellis would be less expensive than Ordonez.

Much could depend on whether Mings remains at Villa Park, or if there is any late interest in Torres who has already publicly revealed that he wants to return to Villarreal at the end of his contract in 2028.