Leeds United have seen an approach for Cameron Archer knocked back by Premier League strugglers Southampton. Leeds Live understands the Saints are not expected to allow him to leave in January transfer window.

The Whites will monitor the situation in the final days of the window - having held an interest in Archer for a number of windows - but are not raising their hopes of a deal going through given Southampton's stance. Club sources have stressed that United will only make a move for a player they believe will improve the team and will not add numbers to the squad for the sake of it.

Archer joined the Premier League last summer in a £15m deal from Aston Villa. The former England Under-21 international penned a four-year deal to sign with the south coast club.

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But Archer has been in and out of Southampton's starting XI this season, hitting five goals in 25 outings across all competitions. He has scored just twice in 10 starts in the Premier League. The Saints are rock-bottom and are 11 points shy of safety.

Despite his struggles in front of goal during the 2024/25 campaign, Archer has proven himself at Championship level. He enjoyed impressive loan spells at Preston North End and Middlesbrough. He was a key figure in the Boro team who qualified for the play-offs in 2023.

The 23-year-old rejoined Villa after Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League last season triggered a buy-back clause but Unai Emery's men decided to sell him again in a big-money deal.

United boss Daniel Farke has admitted he would like to bolster their attacking options before the market closes on Monday. The German currently has Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford to choose from in the central attacking role. Bamford is on the comeback trail from a hamstring problem.