Cameron Archer ‘transfer stance shared’ after failed Leeds United move
Leeds United tried and failed with a late move for Southampton striker Cameron Archer before the winter transfer window slammed shut, according to Graeme Bailey.
With the Whites on the hunt for a striker in the wake of Joe Gelhardt completing a loan move to Hull City and Patrick Bamford’s unreliable injury record, Archer was the number nine option they settled on.
Daniel Farke had made clear that United wouldn’t panic with a late rush of blood in the market, yet despite Southampton holding firm on their stance regarding Archer, enquiries were still made in LS11.
Southampton – who beat Leeds in last season’s play-off final – look destined for an immediate return to the second tier, but managed to keep hold of Archer while loaning Adam Armstrong out to West Brom.
Cameron Archer ‘wanted’ Leeds United transfer on Deadline Day
Southampton retaining Archer beyond Monday’s transfer deadline came against the striker’s wishes, and according to journalist Bailey, the 23-year-old was in favour of leaving for Elland Road.
Speaking to LeedsUnited.News (6 February), Bailey said: “Cameron Archer wanted the move, there is no doubting that – he wants to be in the Premier League next season and in the long-term.
“No doubt he feels he would be better served at Leeds than Southampton.”
Leeds United may regret botched Cameron Archer transfer
Although Southampton did bring in a striker of their own before the window closed, Victor Udoh’s arrival from Antwerp proved to be the makeweight for Armstrong, rather than Archer, to depart for West Brom.
The two matches either side of Deadline Day haven’t suggested any issues for the Whites in front of goal, though, as they hit Cardiff for seven on 1 February before a 2-0 dispatching of Coventry on Wednesday.
United’s scoreline at the CBS Arena could have been doubled and then some, but with Joel Piroe netting the opener and a brace against Cardiff four days prior, the Dutchman is quietly racking up the goals.
With Mateo Joseph also breaking a lengthy scoring duck last weekend, Farke has two strikers at his disposal who are capable of firing the Peacocks to promotion – but a third would still be better.
Bamford remains absent from full training amid another season heavily disrupted by injury, and if opposition teams begin to figure Leeds out – as they did last term – United may need fresh options.
Southampton seem set to come down and be replaced in the top-flight by the Whites, but even if this proves to be the case, adding Archer to the frontline could make things much more straight-forward.