Archer and Leeds update emerges late on deadline day amid Joseph bid

Leeds United are growing increasingly pessimistic about signing Cameron Archer before the transfer deadline, according to Beren Cross.

Cross' report for The Athletic (3 February) has detailed that a "growing" feeling was emerging throughout Monday's Deadline Day for Leeds that they would be unable to complete a deal for the Southampton striker.

The news comes in the wake of the Whites' rejection of a £10million-plus bid for Mateo Joseph from Real Betis, who are looking likely to sign Columbus Crew frontman Cucho Hernandez instead.

Leeds briefly assessed the potential of a deal for one of Saints' other strikers, Adam Armstrong, but it now looks as if a striker will not be brought to Elland Road unless anything drastic changes.

Leeds United unlikely to sign Archer by Monday night

With such little time of the transfer window remaining to complete paperwork, it would be unlikely Leeds United could get a deal over the line for Archer before the 11pm deadline (3 February).

It appears the former Aston Villa forward was the primary target in the final days of the window for Daniel Farke and the recruitment staff, though it was never expected to be a raucous window.

There have so far been no winter signings at Elland Road and just two departures, with Joe Gelhardt moving on loan to Hull City and Sonny Perkins' loan at Leyton Orient becoming permanent.

Farke appears happy with the array of players he has and if there is one scoreline that would assure a manager he doesn't need another striker, it's a 7-0 hammering of an in-form Championship opponent in Cardiff City (1 February).

Averaging two goals per league game this campaign, Leeds boast comfortably the most prolific attack in the division. While a successful move for Archer could have improved that, it isn't paramount.

In other Leeds news, an update on Fulham's potential interest in Jack Harrison who remains on loan at Everton.

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