Leeds United are still looking to recruit Cameron Archer on loan from Southampton before tomorrow’s deadline, despite the Saints rejecting an early bid from Daniel Farke’s side.
Ben Jacobs originally described the Whites’ interest, while Alex Crook of talkSPORT reported that a proposal had been rejected by the Premier League’s lowest club. Crook now claims that he is still high on their desire list as the market approaches its final day.
The Saints recruited Archer from former club Aston Villa for £15 million last summer, but he has fallen out of favour in Hampshire, making only 10 Premier League games. Despite scoring seven goals against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, Leeds remain interested in signing the goalscorer.
Cameron Archer linked with Leeds United transfer from Southampton.
Leeds continue to pursue Archer, a Southampton striker with 18 goals in 40 Championship outings. It’s an incredible ratio for a young player, and that extra firepower might mean the difference between Leeds winning and losing.
The 23-year-old has fallen out of favour recently under Ivan Juric, having started just once in the last eight games, including five substitute appearances, and a further two instances of failing to get off the bench [Transfermarkt]. This is despite being the club’s leading scorer in all competitions this season.
The Yorkshire Evening Post claimed yesterday that Leeds will remain in their hunt of the 23-year-old, with hope a domino-effect may soften the Premier League club’s position. That assertion has since been endorsed by David Anderson of The Mirror:
The latest development comes after Chelsea’s Marc Guiu emerged as a potential target on Sunday morning. According to The Sun on Sunday, the Spanish striker might leave Stamford Bridge before Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline, whereas Jacobs of Give Me Sport has downplayed links to the striker, with Leeds focussing entirely on Archer.
Cameron Archer may make a significant difference for Daniel Farke and Leeds.
His second-tier CV suggests that he might be a valuable asset for the Whites, as he scored 11 goals and added six assists in 23 appearances for Middlesbrough during a 2022/23 loan spell, and he also scored seven goals in 20 Preston North End games the previous season.
The Whites presently lead the Championship standings and are the best scorers in the second tier, having scored 60 goals in 30 games. They will face Coventry City on Wednesday evening. However, the probable arrival of Archer would change the dynamic of Farke’s assault and result in more goals.
It could allow current forward Joel Piroe to go into the number 10 position, immediately behind the current Saints player in a front two. Not only that, but Archer’s possible signing may offer the Whites a significant advantage over their automatic promotion rivals, possibly even helping them win the title.
Farke and Leeds will be looking for results similar to those from recent Championship seasons. A changeover now may result in a higher loan fee or perhaps a requirement to purchase Archer. As one of just two Championship teams that has yet to acquire a player, it is evident that they need to make additions before the deadline, and Archer may make a significant difference in the fight for automatic promotion.
