Sheffield United will target a move for Swansea City’s Joel Piroe if they come up empty-handed in their pursuit of Cameron Archer, both of whom are targets for Leeds United this summer.
That is according to Alan Nixon, who says the Blades are starting to look at possible alternatives to Archer with a deal both ‘complicated and dear’.
As such, Paul Heckingbottom could instead switch their attention towards a deal for Piroe, though that will also come at quite a cost, with Mail+ reporting Swansea will demand £15 million for the 23-year-old.
Villa are open to selling Archer permanently this summer but a transfer will not come easy for any interested parties.
That is because Villa have slapped a large asking price on the 21-year-old and will also look to include a buy-back clause in any deal, like Burnley’s move for Aaron Ramsey, which is still yet to be confirmed.
Sheffield United want Piroe if they cannot land Archer
Sheffield United have already beaten Leeds to one of their top targets this summer having completed a deal for Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer last week.
Piroe has been linked with a move to Elland Road throughout the summer, though speculation has gone quiet in recent weeks as a result of their asking price.
Villa’s Archer is a player Leeds are also reportedly keen on, though Premier League interest could scupper their hopes of bringing him to West Yorkshire.
As per Sky Sports, Archer would prefer a move to a fellow top-flight club as apposed to dropping into the Championship again, where has enjoyed two prolific loan spells in the last two seasons.
Leeds remain in the market for a new striker but now have just over two weeks to ensure they get it done.
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