It’s been a summer of rebuild for Southampton. After their dismal relegation from the Premier League last season, the Saints are back in the Championship and have set their sights on promotion.
Signings such as Damion Downs, Joshua Quarshie and Mads Roerslev have all added fuel to the promotion fire. On the other spectrum, outgoings such as Tyler Dibling, Kyle Walker Peters and Kamaldeen Sulemana have all weakened the side. Another outgoing is expected in the coming days, with a Champions League club interested in a loan deal.
Southampton Striker Subject of Champions League Interest
According to the Football Insider, Southampton striker, Cameron Archer, is wanted by Dutch champions, PSV.
PSV are interested in securing Archer’s services on a season-long loan deal. The deal would be easy with Southampton. After the arrival of manager Will Still in the summer, the former England U21 international has been limited to substitute appearances.
Southampton have started the season off in poor fashion. An opening day win against newly-promoted Wrexham was followed by a one-one draw with Ipswich Town. However, it was a disappointing defeat against 10 man Stoke City last Saturday at St Mary’s. Still and Southampton have work to do if they are to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
In the Carabao cup, the Saints are through to the third round, where a mouth-watering tie awaits at Anfield against Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Archer’s Underwhelming Saints Career
Archer arrived on the south coast in the summer of 2024, from Aston Villa. The deal was a permanent one, with Villa including a buy-back clause, which wasn’t activated and rightly so.
Last season, the Englishman managed just 13 Premier League starts, only scoring twice across the whole campaign.
This season has started in even worse fashion. Archer has slipped down the pecking order at St Mary’s, with no league starts to his name so far. Still has preferred Adam Armstrong to lead the line ahead of Archer.
As a result, PSV have been alerted by the potential possibility of a loan deal for the the 23 year old.
Is This The Right Move For Archer?
For Archer, this is a good move. After PSV’s main striker, Alassane Plea, picked up an injury earlier this month, the Dutch club have been looking for a quality out and out striker to play there. Peter Bosz has trusted winger Dennis Man to play there, however, the Romanian was subbed off at half time for another winger in the four-two victory against Groningen. This move will provide the sufficient game time for the Englishman to develop.
For PSV, this is also a good move. Archer will provide the quality and experience needed for PSV to replace Plea and defend their league title. With Ricardo Pepi not up to scratch, Archer will be looking to hit the ground running in the Netherlands to secure his status as a regular starter.