Leeds United’s pursuit of Cameron Archer looks set to end in failure after The Whites made a bid to sign the Southampton ace, but Leeds could end up signing his teammate instead.
Leeds tabled a loan offer to sign Archer, but Southampton rejected it. The Saints are said to want to bring in a replacement before cashing in on the former Sheffield United and Aston Villa ace on deadline day.
With time running out, Leeds need to move onto other alternatives and it seems that they are now doing that. Interestingly, Leeds have now been linked with another Premier League striker on deadline day.
Leeds now interested in Archer’s teammate Adam Armstrong
In a bizarre twist, Daniel Farke’s side are now supposedly showing interest in Adam Armstrong. The pocket-sized striker that scored the goal to succumb Leeds to another season in the Championship.
Indeed, it was Armstrong that found the back of the net past Illan Meslier at Wembley as The Saints beat Leeds. Craig Hope claims on The Mail’s deadline-day blog (03/02, 12.46PM) that Leeds want Armstrong.
Armstrong sparkled under Russell Martin during Southampton’s promotion season, last term. His goal against Wembley was one of 24 throughout 2023-24, while Armstrong also laid on a massive 13 assists.
What Graeme Bailey has told us about Archer and Armstrong
Graeme Bailey informed LeedsUnited.News on Monday afternoon that Leeds’ pursuit of Archer was as good as over as Armstrong was “more likely” to leave Southampton than Archer was on deadline day.
Indeed, Bailey told us Armstrong is a target for both Sunderland and Middlesbrough. Hope however, reports that Leeds and Middlesbrough want Armstrong with Sunderland sources ruling out their interest.
How Armstrong compares to Leeds strikers in the Championship:
| Name | Clubs | Games (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Joel Piroe | Leeds Swansea | 163 (134) | 11834 | 66 | 16 | 144.3 |
| Mateo Joseph | Leeds | 49 (11) | 1369 | 4 | 3 | 195.6 |
| Patrick Bamford | Leeds Boro Derby Forest | 229 (161) | 12600 | 69 | 15 | 150 |
| Adam Armstrong | Southampton Blackburn Bolton Newcastle Barnsley | 232 (190) | 16613 | 77 | 33 | 151 |
It would be a strange turn of events, not least because it sees Leeds signing Archer’s £15m teammate. But also because it is the man who scored the goal to force Leeds to endure another Championship season.
But, Armstrong guarantees goals in the Championship and putting rivalry and emotion aside, there is no doubt that Armstrong scores in England’s second tier. With Leeds hellbent on promotion, it makes sense.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
