Bournemouth weighing up approach for Aston Villa star after Sheffield United twist

AFC Bournemouth are weighing up making an approach for Aston Villa forward Cameron Archer once he completes his return from Sheffield United, Birmingham World understands.

Villa are obligated - due to a relegation clause - to re-sign Archer despite his £18.5 million sale last summer. The 22-year-old will therefore be bought back but for a price far inferior to what he was sold for, meaning Sheffield United effectively paid an expensive loan fee.

It’s understood that Villa, willing to listen to any offers made for Archer in the current transfer window, could soon receive an approach from Bournemouth. The fellow Premier League club, managed by Andoni Iraola, have been tracking the striker’s progress.

Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo are already on the books but the Cherries are eager to add further quality. The £13.5 million buy clause to make Enes Ünal’s loan move from Getafe permanent has already been activated, but Archer is being considered as an extra option.

Cameron Archer sale likely

Villa are no longer required to make sales to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, but extra funds wouldn’t go amiss. An array of attacking options have already been shortlisted and selling Archer would bolster Villa’s transfer kitty, making bids more realistic.

Archer failed to meet the levels Sheffield United expected of him last season as he scored just four goals in 30 Premier League appearances. There’s definitely a talented player in there, though, as he has scored six times in 11 games for England Under-21s. He’s also scored four times in 14 matches for Villa.