"Would be a bad decision" - Leeds United urged against Cameron Archer deal as "concern" is raised | OneFootball

We asked our Leeds United fan pundit what he made of loan links to Cameron Archer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United have been told to avoid a loan deal for Southampton striker Cameron Archer, with Nottingham Forest's summer transfer window of 2022 used as an example of why the promotion-chasing Whites should stay away from loanees.

Forest won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2022, but with a number of loan players in their squad, they were forced to overhaul their squad following promotion to the top-flight, signing nearly 30 first-team players during the 2022/23 season.

This is clearly something Leeds will want to avoid should they win promotion, and while a couple of signings will inevitably be needed to bolster their squad, Daniel Farke won't want a complete overhaul.

However, while Leeds have been told to avoid a move for loanees, Archer's Premier League goalscoring record has also been cited as a reason why he should be avoided, and Farke has been told to look at long-term signings.

Leeds United told to avoid loan move for Cameron Archer

Archer has proven a good player at Championship level, but his Premier League record leaves a lot to be desired, and he's scored just six goals in 60 top-flight appearances.

We asked our Leeds United fan pundit, Joe Blackburn, for his thoughts after his side were linked with a move for Archer, and it's clear he feels it wouldn't be right for the club this month.

Speaking to Football League World, Joe said: "A significant amount of talk about Leeds United signing another player in an attacking role has been about a number 10, but there have been similar conversations about a number nine.

“Daniel Farke mentioned in his press conference that we’ve got options up top but one of them is always injured in the form of Patrick Bamford, so I think it’s a good idea to bring someone like a Cameron Archer in who is able to do the running, do the pressing and a decent ability to finish.

“The one concern a lot of people have specifically about Archer is the way he performs once in the Premier League. Leeds are not necessarily looking for someone to get us over the line this season. That will probably be fine, we’ve got enough to do that.

“The main concern is signing someone who is also able to do a job in the Premier League. You don’t want to sign someone now that will leave you with something to do in five months’ time. You don’t want to do that because you end up where Nottingham Forest were when they first came up, when a lot of the squad they were relying on were loans.

“We already have Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell, and they’re a big part of the first XI, so I think signing another loanee would be a bad decision, especially someone like a Cameron Archer who, once he is in the Premier League, doesn’t necessarily perform.

“In the Premier League he has played 60 matches and scored six goals, and that’s not what you need when you’re trying to build after a promotion."

There would be positives for Leeds United if Cameron Archer joined

Whilst his record in the Premier League is poor, Archer is a good Championship player, and he would inevitably add goals to Farke's team between now and the end of the season.

In an ideal world, Leeds will want to sign someone on a permanent basis who is capable of making the step-up to the Premier League should they win promotion, but the closer it gets to deadline day, the more appealing a move for Archer could be.

The Southampton striker has scored 18 goals in 40 Championship appearances, an impressive ratio, and that added firepower could make all the difference in helping Leeds get over the line or not.

With Patrick Bamford struggling for fitness and form, along with Joe Gelhardt leaving on loan for Hull City, there could be scope to bring in a striker this month, and Archer would provide Leeds with an excellent short-term solution if needed.