With less than 12 hours left to go in the January transfer window, Leeds United are in danger of going an entire window without strengthening their side amid the chase for promotion.
Leeds came into January expecting a quiet window but in recent days, Daniel Farke said he wanted new signings. Farke identified the 10 position, a striker and a centre-back as areas that needed strengthening.
With just half a day remaining in the January window, Leeds have one player on their agenda and that is Southampton’s Cameron Archer. Leeds have made a bid for Archer but Southampton rejected it.
Whether Leeds go back in for the England U21 star remains to be seen. But Southampton are closing in on a deal to sign Victor Udoh from Royal Antwerp and that may soften their stance on keeping Archer.
Burnley have shown interest in signing Southampton’s Archer
Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News last week that Leeds were rivalling Sunderland in the race for Archer and now, The Telegraph deliver an update on deadline day ahead of a possible Archer transfer.
Widely-renowned reporter Mike McGrath reports on The Telegraph’s deadline-day blog (03/02, 9.32AM) that Burnley as well as Sunderland have shown interest in Archer but Leeds are in the “box-seat”.
McGrath reports, suggesting if Archer does leave it will be for Elland Road: “Promotion-chasing Burnley and Sunderland have also looked at Archer but Leeds are in the box seat if he is allowed to move.”
Archer’s Championship stats are impressive, scoring 18 goals in 40 games on loan at Preston and then Middlesbrough. Charlie Cresswell described Archer as “deadly” ahead of the 2023 Euro U21 tournament.
Why Graham Potter could now have an influence on Archer deal
West Ham are close to announcing the signing of Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton. A deal that sees the Ireland star reunite with Potter, the man who have the centre-forward his debut with The Seagulls.
A move pushes Danny Ings down the pecking order at West Ham and could see the England international leave with Southampton keen. Potter allowing Ings to join Southampton could see Archer join Leeds.
Whether or not the transfer merry-go-round is as simple as that remains to be seen. But Ferguson did complete a medical at West Ham on Sunday night ahead of a deadline-day move to The Hammers.
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