Sheffield United forward Cameron Archer could be set to return to Aston Villa this summer due to a clause in the 22-year-old’s contract, according to reports by TalkSport.
The Villa academy graduate departed Villa Park in the summer to join Sheffield United for £18 million and was sold to keep in line with the Premier League’s spending rules.
According to TalkSport, Aston Villa inserted a clause in Archer’s contract meaning Villa can buy back their former talent for a reduced fee unless the Blades achieve a miraculous escape from almost certain relegation.
Archer made 14 senior appearances for Villa last season, scoring four goals before his switch to Bramall Lane.
How has Archer found life at Bramall Lane?
The signing of Archer was met with a great deal of excitement however, the move to Yorkshire has been underwhelming. With four goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season, Archer is currently Sheffield United’s joint-top scorer alongside Oli McBurnie.
Archer missed the last Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a slight calf strain. Sheffield United lost the game 1-0, leaving them bottom of the Premier League with just 13 points, 11 points from safety with 12 games left to play.
What does Archer bring to a team?
There is no doubt that Cameron Archer is a vastly talented forward. While his spell at Sheffield United has been frustrating, he has the potential to become a brilliant forward.
The 22-year-old primarily plays as a striker but can also play behind the striker or off the left wing and has previously showcased his ability in the Sky Bet Championship with loan spells at Preston North End and Middlesborough. With seven goals in 20 games for Preston and 11 in 23 for a Middlesborough side that made the playoffs last season, Archer was identified as one of the most exciting forwards in the league.
One of Archer’s biggest traits that he has displayed so far in his career is his natural goal-scoring instinct and his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
The former Villa forward has shown that he is a very technical finisher with a great deal of composure for his age and has also displayed his ability to link up play during attacks.
Would the move back benefit Archer?
A move back to Aston Villa may suit Archer for several reasons. Not only is there the obvious factor of familiarity back at Villa Park, but there will also be far less expectation upon the young forward.
Archer would most likely be a sporadic first-team player who would mostly feature on the bench and in cup games due to the quality that Villa have at their disposal in Archer’s position.
With Aston Villa having aspirations of Champions League football next season, Archer’s role in the squad would be to provide competition and cover for players such as Ollie Watkins, and would therefore mean there is less expectation on him.
However, if the England u21 international were to stay at Bramall Lane next season, he would likely be back in the Championship, a league that he knows well and has performed in before.
He would automatically bolster Chris Wilder’s squad and greatly increase the Blades’s chances of promotion.
The idea of being the figurehead of a promotion-winning side and consistent first-team minutes may be too good to turn down for the youngster.