Leeds United are certainly leaving it late to complete their January transfer business, with players heavily linked with moves to Elland Road only recently becoming available.
The big news out of Elland Road right now is that Newcastle United defender Matt Targett appears to be on his way to Leeds United, putting an end to the club’s wait for its first signing of the year.
Daniel Farke’s side have been very quiet so far. At times it’s been eerily quiet on the Leeds transfer front, although plenty of players have been somewhat loosely linked with moves to West Yorkshire.
Targett appears to be a significant link, however. Targett is expected to sign a permanent agreement with Leeds United before his Newcastle contract expires in the summer.
However, on Thursday, another intriguing relationship appeared in Cameron Archer. Leeds United attempted to sign Archer in 2023 but lost out to Sheffield United. Leeds may have found their guy at Southampton.
Cameron Archer’s view on the Leeds United move
It was initially revealed that Leeds United’s loan bid for Archer had been rejected. Southampton are suffering in the Premier League this season and are unwilling to lose anyone, including Archer, who has scored only twice in 21 Premier League outings.
However, Leeds journalist Adam Pope claims that the 23-year-old Archer is willing to move to Leeds United on loan before the February 3rd transfer deadline. Pope adds that ‘early negotiations have taken place’ but that no agreement has yet been achieved.
The ball is very much in Southampton’s court, and it appears that the Saints are unwilling to let Archer leave on loan.
Cameron Archer wants a starting place at Leeds United.
While Archer is open to joining Leeds, he needs a guaranteed starting berth in Farke’s XI, which may be difficult to come by with players like Manor Solomon and Dan James in excellent form.
According to the BBC, Archer is looking for a guaranteed starting berth after “increasingly finding himself on the bench” under new Southampton manager Ivan Juric, which might lead Archer to other clubs in need of wingers.
Although capable of playing as a no.10 or even a no.9, a guaranteed starting berth may not be something Leeds can provide. Even if the no.10 slot is the most vacant, it remains to be seen whether Archer would be interested in it.
