Charlie Cresswell’s verdict on Cameron Archer will have fans excited as Leeds United plot second bid

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United will have to return with a second bid if they are to stand any chance of convincing Southampton to allow Cameron Archer to move to Elland Road, at least initially on loan.

The 23-year-old has emerged as Leeds United’s priority signing ahead of Monday’s deadline, with The Whites in need of a striker after allowing Joe Gelhardt to go on loan and Patrick Bamford still out injured.

Saturday’s showing against Cardiff may have suggested Leeds no longer need a striker, with Joel Piroe scoring twice to take his tally to 12. Mateo Joseph ended a three-month wait for a goal, his third.

But Simon Grayson believes the 7-0 win won’t change Leeds’ approach for a striker and England U21 star Archer is the one Leeds want. Leeds saw a loan bid rejected for Archer but are preparing a second offer.

• READ MORE: Largie Ramazani has compared a Leeds player to a Barcelona legend in his “prime”

What Charlie Cresswell said about Leeds target Cameron Archer

While Archer could be heading to Elland Road, especially after he was left out of Southampton’s squad on the weekend, Leeds will be regretting the sale of another England U21 star in defender Charlie Cresswell.

Cresswell has been shining out in France with Ligue 1 side Toulouse. Both were part of the England U21 squad that won the 2023 European Championships and Cresswell raved about new Leeds target Archer.

Speaking to England’s website ahead of the 2023 tournament, Cresswell said: “Cameron is deadly. His finishing is really good, he’s sharp, he knows where the goal is, as you can tell by his stats this season.”

How Cameron Archer compares to Leeds’ current strikers…

There is no doubt Archer is a top-quality striker at Championship level. His loan spells with Preston and Middlesbrough proved that, but there are still doubts over whether he can cut it in the Premier League.

Archer compared to Leeds’ three strikers in the Championship:

Just six goals in 60 top-flight appearances, albeit 31 from the bench, is not worth of the £18m fee that Sheffield United spent or really the £15m Southampton paid to sign him from Sheffield United in 2024.

If Leeds are signing Archer to help them get promoted then that makes sense. But if Leeds are forced into including an obligation to sign him permanently, then Daniel Farke’s side should steer clear of Archer.