Just In: Southampton ‘Closing In’ On Move For ‘Terrific’ £18m Gem Ahead Of Premier League Return
Southampton are ‘interested’ in a move for a player whose club are looking to make a sale this summer.
Southampton is getting ready to make a comeback in the Premier League after being absent for one year. They earned their promotion through the Championship play-offs.
Manager Russell Martin will have a clear vision of the areas he wants to bolster during the upcoming summer transfer window. However, navigating the unpredictable nature of the transfer market is always a challenging task.Southampton Football Club has already secured the permanent signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, following his successful loan spell.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that Adam Lallana will make a return to the Saints once his contract with Brighton expires at the end of June. Furthermore, the club appears to be on the verge of signing Saman Ghoddos and Ryan Fraser, both of whom will bring valuable experience to the team. It is evident that Southampton’s transfer activity will extend beyond these acquisitions, as they continue to actively pursue further reinforcements.
The St Mary’s club is reportedly interested in signing a young talent to strengthen their team for the upcoming season. The club is looking to add some firepower to their squad
Southampton considering Cameron Archer signing
Despite being promoted, Southampton is expected to face the departure of their center-forward, Che Adams, once his contract expires this summer. Sekou Mara may be released by Southampton due to his failure to fulfill his early potential since joining the team at the age of 19 in 2022. This would leave Southampton with only Ross Stewart and Adam Armstrong as their main strikers.
Armstrong’s most successful performances came when he played in a wider position last season, so it is likely that Southampton will be looking to sign two new strikers during the summer transfer window. One potential target is Cameron Archer, who spent the previous season at Sheffield United but was brought back by Aston Villa after Sheffield United’s relegation, as part of the £18 million agreement. According to talkSPORT’s Chief Football Correspondent, Alex Crook, Southampton is among the clubs showing interest in signing the 22-year-old Archer to bolster their attacking force.
Archer talented but a risk for Southampton
As previously mentioned, Sheffield United paid £18 million to sign Cameron Archer, an England under-21 international, last summer. However, Archer has now returned to Aston Villa, which creates a problem for Villa. They have concerns about their Player Salary Ratio (PSR) and now need to find another buyer for Archer in order to offset the £18 million they thought they had secured.
Archer had a relatively successful season at Sheffield United, considering how poor the team performed overall. Sheffield United finished last in the Premier League with only 16 points. Despite this, Archer managed to score four goals and provide one assist in 30 top-flight games. It was during the previous season at Middlesbrough that he truly showcased his potential, scoring 11 goals and assisting six in 20 Championship games. The manager of Middlesbrough at the time, Michael Carrick, was a big admirer of the young striker.
In February 2023, Carrick praised Archer, saying, “I thought he was terrific, Cameron, and showed everything he is about. He has settled quickly and is loved by the team. He has excellent movement, finishing ability, and uses his body well despite being smaller in stature. His overall performance was impressive, and scoring goals was a huge boost for him.”There is potential for Archer to become a valuable player, and Southampton could benefit from giving him a platform to showcase his skills. However, signing him as their main striker this summer would be a significant risk. It would be wise for Southampton to bring in a more experienced alternative to share the goal-scoring burden and provide support.