Cameron Archer was the no.1 target for Leeds United going into the January deadline day. And the Southampton attacker is the no.1 target for next summer too.
Leeds United were deadest on signing Cameron Archer from Southampton on deadline day of the last winter window, seemingly either on loan or permanently with Archer open to joining Leeds.
In the end, he stayed at Southampton. The Saints were reluctant to let him go amid their dismal Premier League season with Ivan Juric’s side rock-bottom with just nine points to their name after 27 games.
Ahead of the summer, it’s already been revealed that Leeds United will re-target Archer with Daniel Farke’s side likely to trade places with Southampton, who beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final last season.
Leeds look to be readying themselves for a busy summer transfer window with the Whites well on their way to promotion. They currently boast a three point lead at the top of the Championship table and take Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.
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Leeds United target Cameron Archer admits poor form at Southampton
Archer has been a target for Leeds United for the last few transfer windows, not just the last January transfer window. But he’s not exactly impressed with Southampton this season with just two goals in 24 Premier League appearances, and with Juric using Archer as more of an impact player.
That, and Archer has been playing as a striker more often too. Either as a no.9 or as one or two strikers. But Archer has himself admitted that he’s not been in prolific form this season.
He recently told Daily Echo: “I’m just not moving too much as a striker, which is not something that I’m used to. But these are the details I can add to my game and try and become a better footballer.
“It is frustrating but it’s part of football. You’ve just got to go out there and take your opportunity when you get it.”
Does Daniel Farke really want to sign Cameron Archer this summer?
The numbers certainly suggest that Archer wouldn’t be such a useful signing for Leeds should they return to the Premier League: he can’t even get into the Saints XI, and this Southampton side is on track to be the worst Premier League side in history.
Speaking earlier in the year, Farke spoke about the failed Leeds move for Archer. And the German hinted at Archer, or more broadly players in the bottom half of the Premier League, not really being able to improve his Leeds squad.
Farke said: “But it means he is not in his full rhythm or full of confidence. Does a player that doesn’t make it into the top 17, 18 players in the bottom half of the Premier League really improve Leeds? Difficult I would say.”
Now with Archer himself admitting that it’s been a difficult spell for him, it’s tough to see Leeds going out and spending £15million, or £20million on signing him, after such a difficult campaign.
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