Leeds United ‘in place to win’ Cameron Archer battle amid Southampton update.
Leeds United are “in the box seat” to sign in-demand forward Cameron Archer if Southampton allow the forward to leave, according to Mike McGrath.
The Daily Telegraph journalist reported on Monday (3 February) that the Whites are currently ahead of Championship promotion rivals Sunderland and Burnley in the race for the forward’s services.
A move will depend on whether Southampton allow Archer to leave St Mary’s, but Leeds are expected to win the race, with Victor Udoh on his way to the South Coast [Fabrizio Romano].
Angus Kinnear is preparing a £15 million offer for the 23-year-old [TEAMtalk] after seeing an initial approach rejected earlier in the window.
Leeds United in line to sign Cameron Archer
Daniel Farke appears to have seen enough of the duo Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe and is ready to strengthen his front line ahead of a promotion push.
A move for a centre-forward may seem premature given the Whites have just put Cardiff City to the sword in a 7-0 win at Elland Road (1 February).
Piroe and Joseph both scored in the eye-watering win, but a combined 15 goals in 59 appearances is nowhere near the standard required for a side with Premier League aspirations.
Although Archer could be painted with the same brush, with only six goals in 60 Premier League appearances, his record of 18 goals and seven assists in 42 outings in the second tier is far more promising.
At 23, the former England Under-21s international could hit the ground running at Elland Road this season before preparing to be the leading man in the Premier League next term.
It is clear Farke has identified Archer as the man to fire Leeds to a long-awaited top-flight return. Now, it is up to Kinnear to complete a last-gasp swoop for the forward.
In other Leeds news a £50m Willy Gnonto transfer claim has emerged at the Whites.
