Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided an update on Cameron Archer’s future, amid speculation that the talented youngster could still move on this summer.
The 21-year-old was seemingly set for a key role with us this season as competition and depth behind Ollie Watkins, and he has featured prominently through pre-season.
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With only Jhon Duran as our other option available to play up top currently, that trio were expected to lead the way in the final third for Villa, but speculation over the past 24 hours has suggested otherwise.
According to The Athletic, Villa are said to still be open to a sale of Archer and there is strong interest in acquiring him, and so Emery confirmed our stance on his future in his pre-Newcastle Utd press conference on Thursday.
Emery on Cameron Archer future
“He played very well last year at Middlesbrough,” Emery said, as per BirminghamLive. “He scored goals and his level increased. We are with Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran and him in the squad. Duran is still injured but he is coming back next week and hopefully we can add him in two or three weeks after working with us.
“With Cameron Archer we were playing him in pre-season and we were thinking it could be a possibility to let him go and play and continue improving his level in another club. Actually, he is our player and we want to keep him under our control always because we believe in him. Sometimes the plan that we have to do with them, or him in this case, is to try and help him continuing taking time and minutes and confidence in another club.
“We have always two options, sometimes on loan, sometimes selling them. We are analysing each case individually and trying to get the best option.”
Time will tell what Villa decide to do with Archer, as while many will hope that he gets his opportunity this season, if Emery doesn’t feel as though it’s the best option for us and him for the upcoming campaign, we’ll undoubtedly move in the transfer market before the deadline to replace him.
Archer arguably has all the attributes to provide great cover for Watkins and he has scored goals at every level and stage of his career thus far, but similarly to Aaron Ramsey who is expected to join Burnley this week but with a buy-back clause included in any agreement, that could be the way to go with Archer too.
Following Emiliano Buendia’s injury which is likely to rule him out for most, if not all, of the season, Emery will perhaps feel as though he’s now one option short in the final third. If Archer moves on too, Villa could be very active in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window to ensure we’re properly equipped for the season ahead.
Emery also discussed Ramsey’s future, and while he conceded that he is set to join Burnley – with the Athletic having reported that he will move in a deal worth £14m plus add-ons but with the agreement also including a buy-back clause – that was ultimately what the Villa boss hinted would be the case too.
Emery on Aaron Ramsey’s expected departure
“Young players are very important for us,” Emery added. “And we have to make a plan for them. In the past, present and the future and we don’t want to stop their career.
“When we are thinking they are not going to have a lot of chances to play, to keep confident and keep minutes, another plan is to let them go and play in other teams. Sometimes on loan, sometimes sell. But always trying to keep the possibility of getting them again for us in the near future.
“That is the idea we have with different players. Now, Aaron is so close to leaving and the idea is to have the possibility to recover him if he progresses over the next year or for more, deserving to play and come here.”
