Paul Heckingbottom has already given his opinion on new Leeds United target Cameron Archer

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Leeds United are confident of agreeing deal to sign Cameron Archer from Southampton and Paul Heckingbottom has already given his verdict on the striker.

Daniel Farke is keen to bring in a striker at Leeds after losing Joe Gelhardt to Hull on loan. Patrick Bamford has picked up a setback in his recovery from an injury, and will be out until the middle of February.

Now, it appears Leeds are closing on a new striker. Reports emerged on Thursday that Leeds are looking to sign Cameron Archer from Southampton, 18 months after Leeds tried to sign Archer from Aston Villa.

Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Leeds are confident of beating Sunderland to securing Archer’s signature. Archer is believed to be keen on a move to Elland Road before Monday’s deadline.

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What Paul Heckingbottom has said about Cameron Archer

Former Leeds manager Heckingbottom signed Archer ahead of his old club in the summer of 2023, splashing £18m on the forward while Sheffield United boss. Four goals in 32 games followed in 23-24.

Last summer, Southampton spent £15m on Archer. He has since netted five goals in 22 Saints outings. Heckingbottom is a big fan, sharing an excited verdict on Sheffield United’s website after Archer’s arrival.

“A great opportunity for us to sign a young, exciting forward and one who showed a desire to join us. Cameron brings us pace, agility and a goalscoring record – we are looking forward to working with him.”

Where does Cameron Archer’s arrival leave Patrick Bamford?

If Archer does join, the Southampton striker will be expecting to start and rightly so. In his 40 career outings in the Championship, Archer has 18 goals and seven assists during loans at Preston and Boro.

He offers pace, a directness and an eye for goal that is different to Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe. For Bamford, he will be relegated to fourth-choice striker and take on the role Gelhardt was occupying.

For someone on such big wages, surely it is in the best interests of all involved to find a way out of the club for Bamford. While he is injured however, that might not be possible given his hamstring issues.

Graham Smyth predicted Bamford would leave in the summer with his contract due to end in June 2026. The signing of Archer, if it does get over the line, means Smyth’s prediction is likely to come true.