Sheffield United have agreed an £18m fee with Aston Villa for striker Cameron Archer; the 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan period at Middlesbrough last season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 23 appearances; the Blades fought off interest from Luton
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:11, UK
Sheffield United have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for striker Cameron Archer.
There are still some final elements of the deal to conclude - but he is close to signing for the Blades.
One source has told Sky Sports News the fee is worth £18m.
Luton were also understood to have been trying for a loan move but Villa favoured a permanent deal.
A new striker has been high on Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom's list since Iliman Ndiaye departed for Marseille earlier this month.
They wanted Chuba Akpom and Malik Tillman but both have since signed for Eredivisie clubs - Akpom has gone to Ajax, while Tillman was snapped up by PSV.
A host of Championship clubs were also eyeing a move for Archer, who scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 23 appearances under Michael Carrick during a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season.
Archer has made 10 Premier League appearances for Villa, all of them off the bench, after progressing through their academy and has also had previous loan spells at Solihull Moors and Preston.
He will become the Blades' eighth summer signing following their promotion back to the top flight last season.
Who will be on the move this summer ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
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