Sunderland have been hit with a setback in their pursuit of Cameron Archer in the summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
Premier League reporter Rob Scanlon has revealed that Aston Villa will be keeping hold of the youngster for at least the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.
The reporter recently interviewed Steven Gerrard who said: “We’ve made a decision with Cameron Archer that he’ll be staying in the door. He will be part of the first team group and he needs to be ready when called upon to contribute to the team”
The Black Cats are one of a number of Championship outfits said to be keen on a swoop for the young centre-forward, with all of them now set to be gutted by this news.
Big blow for Alex Neil
This update on Archer’s situation will come as a big blow to the Sunderland head coach as it means that he will not be able to bring the talent to the Stadium of Light this summer.
Is this a big blow for Sunderland?
The Scottish manager has confirmed that he wants up to five new signings over the next few weeks and another striker could be on the cards, as Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms are currently his only natural options in the number nine position.
In Archer, Sunderland could have landed a player capable of making a big impact for the club in the Championship after he caught the eye in the 2021/22 campaign.
The gem scored four goals in two EFL Cup matches and produced six goals and two assists in four EFL Trophy outings for Villa in the first half of the season. Preston then snapped him up on loan and he found the back of the net seven times in 18 Championship starts.
Last month, journalist Ryan Taylor praised the attacker and tipped him to remain at Villa Park, Tweeting: “Cameron Archer on target for Aston Villa in pre-season win at Walsall. Array of clubs prepared to wait to land him on loan later in window but don’t be surprised if he forces his way into reckoning at AVFC. Goal machine. Him & Joe Gelhardt are my ones to watch this season.”
This suggests that he has made his mark in pre-season by carrying his form over from last term, which shows that he is developing as a player as Gerrard has now deemed that he has improved enough to make the squad.
Therefore, this is a blow for Neil as Archer’s goalscoring record – especially in the Championship – suggests that he would have been a fantastic signing, particularly when you consider that Stewart and Simms have zero goals in the division between them in their respective careers.
