Euro U-21 Wonderkids: Who should Borussia Dortmund look to sign?
![BATUMI, GEORGIA - JULY 8: team captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis of England celebrate with a trophy with hes teammates, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Cameron Archer, Emile Smith Rowe, Levi Colwill, Max Aarons, Harvey Elliott, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Curtis Jones, Anthony Gordon, Ben Johnson, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrad Branthwaite after victory during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 final match between England and Spain on July 8, 2023 on Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) BATUMI, GEORGIA - JULY 8: team captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis of England celebrate with a trophy with hes teammates, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Cameron Archer, Emile Smith Rowe, Levi Colwill, Max Aarons, Harvey Elliott, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Curtis Jones, Anthony Gordon, Ben Johnson, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrad Branthwaite after victory during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 final match between England and Spain on July 8, 2023 on Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2e9ba5af8458d1decd463fbd0f907e3dfcca821d7b5258ff090de62229ba076b.jpg)
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Manchester City
Harwood-Bellis is having a belter of a year in 2023. The 21 year old, who currently plays for Manchester City, went out on loan to Burnley last season, quickly becoming a defensive stalwart in their title winning Championship campaign. Most recently, he was captain of England U21’s winning side that conceded 0 goals in the U-21 Championships and also made the Team of the Tournament.
Harwood-Bellis is a right-footed centre-back and a natural leader who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and is just as comfortable in stepping up in the big moments. If there were one player that we could compare him to, it would be a young Rio Ferdinand. With a current market value of €20m according to Transfermarkt, a player of his potential could sell for €50/60million in two or three years’ time.
His contract with Manchester City ends next summer, so the Citizens may be looking to cash in soon. With a number of Premier League teams already reportedly interested in his signature, it would be a case of now or never for Borussia Dortmund.
Harwood-Bellis would likely only leave City to play regular football in one of Europe’s top leagues which Borussia Dortmund may struggle to offer, as they already have Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck covering his preferred position. If he were to be available on a free transfer next summer, it would create favorable conditions for all parties involved.