"The jury is out" - Exclusive: Leeds United transfer warning issued over reigniting Southampton interest | OneFootball

David Prutton has told FLW his verdict on Leeds United's potential interest in a move for Cameron Archer

David Prutton is unsure whether Cameron Archer can be prolific enough for Leeds United in the Premier League if they reignite their interest in the Southampton forward this coming summer.

It was reported by journalist Ben Jacobs in January that the Whites were keen on securing a move for the 23-year-old.

However, no deal came to fruition during the winter market, with the Yorkshire outfit now looking to trade divisions with the Saints.

Daniel Farke’s side are in the mix for automatic promotion, while Southampton are heading towards relegation back to the Championship within 12 months of beating Leeds in the play-off final.

David Prutton issues Cameron Archer transfer concern if Leeds United come back with interest

Ex-Southampton midfielder Prutton, who heads up Sky Sports' EFL coverage, has warned Leeds about whether Archer has the consistency in front of goal that they’ll need in the Premier League, should they be promoted.

However, he believes that the player has potential under the right circumstances, and perhaps Farke is the man to bring the best out of him.

“It could be a sliding doors moment obviously if Leeds manage to get themselves up and then he jumps from one ship to another,” Prutton exclusively told Football League World.

“Whether he would have the requisite goal-scoring ability to make sure their stay in the Premier League would be a longer one than last time, I think the jury is out a little bit on that.

“Prolific season a few seasons ago in the Championship...for the right price, under the right manager you never know how a player could blossom, Cameron could be one of those.

“The players or the squad that Southampton have got have just plainly not been good enough for the Premier League, have they? So, that means cherry picking a player from a team that’s struggled.

“Obviously, they’ll take into account the whole sphere of what the squad is, because it’s not individuals, it's a collective that they’re not good enough.

“Whether that then becomes a potent choice for Leeds going forward in the Premier League, as I said hypothetically, remains to be seen.”

Archer signed for Southampton in 2024 from Aston Villa following their promotion from the Championship, but he's struggled to be a threat in the top flight of English football for two seasons in a row, having also had an indifferent stint with Sheffield United last season.

Archer has previously performed well in the Championship during loan spells with Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

But he’s struggled to make the leap to the Premier League, so it would be a risk to make a move for him if Leeds are promoted.

A lot would depend on the potential cost of such a move, but it’s not one the Whites should prioritise in terms of building a team that can survive in the top flight.

But if they can bring him in at a reasonable cost as part of a grander transfer strategy, then he could prove a solid addition to strengthen their attacking options, as he does still have potential to improve under the right manager and environment.