Preston North End may have hope of landing Cameron Archer again with Aston Villa actively chasing some fairly big name attacking signings.
PNE fans have been left baffled by Archer’s lack of football this season.
Archer was so good on loan at North End in the second half of last season that he seemed primed for Premier League minutes.
That just hasn’t really happened though and Archer has been given just 44 minutes of league action across six substitute appearances.
Archer, 20, seems to be down the Villa pecking order and PNE fans are desperate to see him return to Deepdale.
Hope was given last week as Archer’s brother Jordan told the Lancashire Post that Cameron’s ideal move in January would be a loan return to PNE.
Wages may be a factor here but in terms of Villa’s willingness to do a deal, PNE’s hopes may be rising again.
New Villa boss Unai Emery seems to be very keen on adding a major striker in January.
Spanish newspaper Marca claim that Villa are now best placed to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix in a blockbuster deal.
Then there is Borussia Monchengladbach hitman Marcus Thuram, with Villa chasing a move according to Give Me Sport.
If either Felix or Thuram – or any other striker for that matter – arrive at Villa Park in January, it would surely free up Archer for a loan move.
We can understand Villa maybe keeping Archer around in case Danny Ings or Ollie Watkins pick up an injury but if another signing is made, the door would surely be open for Archer to leave.
We know Peter Ridsdale and co have been working hard to get Archer back and if Villa show any indication that the young striker will be made available for loan, you can be sure that PNE will be ringing incessantly.