Preston North End may have hopes of extending Cameron Archer’s loan deal, but Aston Villa may end up needing him for first-team action.
North End took Archer on loan in January with Ryan Lowe managing to secure a favour from Villa boss and old friend Steven Gerrard.
Archer has been a sensation for Preston, with Saturday’s goal against Queens Park Rangers making it seven goals in 15 games for North End.
The 20-year-old became a club hero forever by scoring the winner against Blackpool and it’s clear that this loan move has been perfect for everybody.
Soon though, Archer will be heading back to Villa. Lowe wants to keep Archer on loan, but Gerrard has played down the chances of such a deal.
Preston may hold lingering hope but new reports will put a dent into those hopes.
The Mirror claim that Villa could send Danny Ings to Brighton in exchange for Seagulls midfielder Yves Bissouma – a player Gerrard really wants.
Ings hasn’t really found his feet with Villa since joining from Southampton last summer, scoring just five times in 24 games.
The 29-year-old could now be offloaded, freeing up a spot for another striker – and that could be Archer.
Given that Keinan Davis is much more likely to leave Villa permanently, Archer may be seen as the striker to step up in place of Ings and support Ollie Watkins.
Archer will certainly be given the chance to show that he can be that player over pre-season, and Ings’ departure would certainly help clear the way.
Preston will ultimately hope that Villa bring in other strikers and secure a new loan for Archer, but Ings potentially being on the chopping block will be a concern to North End.