Leeds United keen on Southampton forward Cameron Archer | OneFootball

Leeds United are interested in signing Southampton forward Cameron Archer before the end of the January transfer window having tracked him for quite some time, according to transfer expert Ben Jacobs.

However, luring the Saints attacker to the Elland Road club in the coming hours could prove tricky as Southampton are reluctant to let him leave right now.

Nevertheless, Leeds will continue to monitor the situation and are expected to move should Archer become available before the deadline.

The Yorkshire club are open to bolstering their squad for the second half of 2024-25 to boost their promotion chances, and the 23-year-old Saints star has caught the eye of manager Daniel Farke.

Archer has five goals in 25 appearances this term for the Premier League strugglers, but he has already proven himself in the Championship, impressing during loan spells at Preston North End and Middlesbrough and notching 18 goals in 40 league games across his spells at both clubs between 2021 and 2023.

Leeds could do with his experience during the most important final months of their promotion-chasing campaign, and they will be keen to land such a quality player.

However, 20th-placed Southampton need all the help they can get ahead of their remaining 15 Premier League games as they look to beat the drop, and losing a key player is the last thing on their mind right now despite being 11 points off safety.

Archer has featured in 21 league games so far, starting ten times, and it is unknown whether he prefers to remain with them to help their survival bid or move to Leeds to help them with their promotion bid.

The Whites are currently top of the Championship table after 29 games, but automatic promotion has not been sealed yet and they could do with more attacking firepower to bolster their squad ahead of their remaining 17 games.