Aston Villa could use their emerging interest in striker Cameron Archer to seal a move for a ‘clinical’ striker this summer.
Aston Villa academy graduate Cameron Archer was sold to Sheffield United for £18 million last summer. The 22-year-old was a rare shining light in a dismal campaign for the Blades, who were relegated to the Championship with Archer scoring four goals.
Interestingly, Villa inserted a relegation release clause in his contract, meaning they are obligated to re-sign Archer despite his sale last summer. It is understood that Unai Emery is willing to listen to offers for the Englishman as they don’t see him earning regular minutes in the first team.
Bournemouth are tracking Cameron Archer
With Ollie Watkins spearheading their attack, most strikers on the planet would struggle to dislodge the 28-year-old, who has just had the season of his life in claret and blue.
Indeed, for any young striker breaking through – as seen with Jhon Duran – it’s difficult to progress into the finished article at Villa when the game time is limited.
That is why multiple Premier League clubs are likely showing an interest in Archer, with the Birmingham World reporting that Bournemouth are tracking the striker’s progress and could soon approach the Villans for his signature.
This comes after a report from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggested that top-flight newcomers Southampton were also intrigued at the prospect of adding Archer to their squad.
Monchi should rubbish interest from the Saints and instead do business with Bournemouth by continuing their trend of doing play plus cash swap deals.
Aston Villa should try to sign Dominic Solanke in deal for Cameron Archer
Aston Villa are familiar with swap deals having carried out multiple this summer.
Villa are set to offload Douglas Luiz to Juventus with Enzo Barrenchea and Samuel Iling-Junior moving to Villa Park while Tim Iroegbunham’s switch to Everton saw Lewis Dobbin arrive from Goodison Park.
In using that inspiration to navigate past their PSR issues, Emery could offer cash plus Archer to sign ‘clinical’ Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.
The 26-year-old was one of the best strikers in the Premier League last term, tallying 19 goals in 38 appearances – the same total as Watkins.
Such is the goalscoring prowess and talent of Solanke, the Cherries have previously slapped a £50 million price tag on the Englishman as interest from Arsenal emerged.
Their stance will remain firm that he isn’t for sale however, if Villa came in for him, the lure of Champions League football could be tempting.
Monchi could perhaps offer £30 million upfront and Archer in return to land Solanke. That would continue their trend of securing swap deals this summer while bagging a striker capable of rivalling Watkins.
Solanke is ready to make that step to a side competing in Europe’s elite, and while many wouldn’t see him dislodging Watkins, he would get plenty of opportunities to show his worth, with Emery deploying him alongside his talisman or replacing him in the starting XI in certain matches.
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