
View: Leeds making huge statement with Archer bid
Leeds United are pushing hard to sign Southampton striker Cameron Archer this window, but need the Premier League strugglers to sanction the deal for it to go through.
Daniel Farke made it clear earlier in the window that he would like a striker, if one became available that would be able to improve his starting lineup.
Despite insisting he was expecting a quiet window, he and the 49ers staying ‘awake’ to possibilities might see them find a late-window statement signing.
Alex Crook reported on Thursday that Leeds had seen an offer to sign striker Cameron Archer on loan had been rejected by Southampton.
The Saints have already allowed on forward to drop into the Championship on loan, strengthening Leeds’ promotion rivals Sheffield United by reuniting them with Ben Brereton Diaz, after the Chilean international spent the second half of last season at Bramall Lane, playing alongside Archer.
However, that and that the decision therefore comes down to Saints agreeing to the transfer.
Archer’s last two seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United and Southampton have yielded just six league goals and one assist, but there’s important context to consider with that.
The two sides he’s played for in the top flight (outside of Aston Villa cameos) were as good as relegated before they kicked a ball, and that shouldn’t be used as ammunition to critique Archer’s output.
On loan in the second half of the season at Middlesbrough in 22/23, Archer played 22 times and scored 11 while assisting six as well – that’s a rate of 141 minutes per goal, and 91 minutes per goal or assist.
Leeds have been crying out for a marriage between Joel Piroe’s lethal finishing and Mateo Joseph’s mobility and link-up, to which Archer is perhaps the best realistic option you could find in this transfer window.
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