Leeds backed to sign ‘A-list striker alongside Cameron Archer’
Leeds United are planning to back Daniel Farke to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer window ahead of potential promotion to the Premier League.
With 11 games still to play, Leeds are top of the league and eight points clear of the playoff places, leading to optimism that they will finally win promotion.
However, there is a growing feeling at Elland Road that the squad will have to be strengthened in the transfer market to give them a chance at staying up next season.
Last year’s promoted trio of Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are odds-on to come back down as things stand, and Leeds are determined to avoid the same fate.
Football Insider revealed on 1 March that Leeds’ priority is to sign a new striker in the summer amid links with a move to sign Norwich star Josh Sargent.
Southampton striker Cameron Archer was linked to Leeds in the January transfer window, and their interest in pursuing a move is now said to have lingered.
However, former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that the club will want to sign a top-class forward alongside Archer rather than making him a marquee addition.
Leeds plan to sign Tammy Abraham and Cameron Archer
Robinson told Football Insider on 28 February that Leeds want to sign Roma’s Tammy Abraham in an ambitious move when the former Chelsea man’s contract expires this summer.
The 27-year-old is believed to be open to a return to the Premier League, while Farke is keen to replace Patrick Bamford amid concerns about his performances and injury record.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson explained that Archer is not seen as somebody who could lead the line by himself in the Premier League given his below-par season with Southampton.
“Southampton overpaid for Archer,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s made 24 appearances so far this season with just two goals, that’s not clinical.
“If you look at his record at Villa, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and now Southampton, with Leeds potentially going up to the Premier League next year…
“There have been links to signing Tammy Abraham.
“That link would be a lot more exciting than the potential move to sign Archer.
“He’s proven in Serie A and proven in the Premier League, he’s a player that understands the league and has done well previously there.
“Cameron Archer is a good player, he’s still only 23, but you can’t rely on him to get the goals.
“I think if you’re buying him, you’re buying another one as well.
“You’re not relying on him to get the goals you want.
“If you sign him alongside Abraham and have them together, then yeah, but not as a singular signing to play up front on his own.”
Daniel Farke plots move to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton
Alongside the addition of a new striker, Leeds are expected to prioritise the signing of a goalkeeper amid ongoing concerns about the performances of Illan Meslier.
There is a growing feeling at Elland Road that the 24-year-old is not at the required level to remain their number one if they earn promotion to the Premier League.
Robinson told Football Insider on 1 March that Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale will be on Leeds’ list of targets, as the Saints are heavily expected to suffer relegation.
Ramsdale is believed to be keen to continue playing regular football rather than sitting on the bench for a Champions League club, placing Leeds as one of the leading contenders for his signature.
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