Leeds in hot pursuit of deadline-busting Archer transfer in Friday update
Leeds United are not giving up on their bid to sign Southampton striker Cameron Archer, according to Ben Jacobs.
Writing via his personal X account on Friday morning (31 January), the talkSPORT journalist reported that the Whites have made the 23-year-old centre-forward their number one target before the winter transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday (3 February).
It is understood that Southampton haven’t changed their minds over not wanting to sell the ex-Aston Villa striker. However, Leeds will reportedly continue to focus on him in the hope a door opens for them in the final hours of the window.
Alex Crook reported on 30 January that Leeds have already had a loan bid for Archer rejected.
Leeds make Southampton striker Archer number one target
It won’t be the biggest of shocks if Leeds don’t sign anyone before the transfer window closes.
As it stands, Daniel Farke’s men are top of the Championship table and heading in the right direction to win promotion back to the Premier League.
However, Farke’s options up front are light, especially after he allowed Joe Gelhardt to join Hull City on loan.
Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph are the only proper strikers Farke can choose from and both have gone through dry spells this season.
Archer has a good track record of scoring in the Championship with 18 goals and seven assists in 40 appearances at this level in his career. In his last second-tier spell in 2023 at Middlesbrough, he scored 11 times in 20 games.
In his spell at Preston, Daniel Johnson called the Walsall-born striker “phenomenal” [LancsLive] and Leeds fans will be hoping that he can live up to that hype again if he returns to the Championship at the division’s top side.
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