Southampton stand firm on Cameron Archer as Leeds United wait for transfer
Cameron Archer is still not being made available for sale by Southampton as Leeds United continue their interest, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on 3 February that Southampton’s stance on Archer’s transfer situation has not changed, with the final day of the winter transfer window firmly up and running.
Archer has emerged as the Whites’ number-one target as they look to strengthen Daniel Farke’s attacking ranks going into the final months of the season, but Saints are yet to budge on his availability.
Farke and the higher-ups at Elland Road will “stay alert” right up until the 11 pm deadline, with a striker being one of three positions in which they could do business, along with a number 10 and centre-back.
Leeds United running out of time for Cameron Archer transfer
With little over 12 hours of the winter transfer window remaining, United’s chase for Archer looks set to go right down to the wire, given he appears to be the only centre-forward they’re considering.
Previous links to other number nines, such as Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, have long since been dismissed, and there’s still a chance that any new faces on Deadline Day may not be needed anyway.
Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph both got on the scoresheet in the Whites’ 7-0 routing of Cardiff City on Saturday, and his two currently-fit options being in the goals could give Farke pause for thought.
Patrick Bamford is still some way off returning to first-team contention from his latest injury setback, but once he does, Farke could have three more Championship-level strikers to choose from.
Adding Archer – potentially even just as window dressing – would give United a formidable frontline to all but seal promotion, and at this stage of the season, they’d be wise to secure a guarantee of goals.
In other Leeds news, the Whites have made a “massive loss” on one player whose exit was confirmed in the last few days.
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