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Sheffield United have agreed an £18m fee with Aston Villa for striker Cameron Archer; the 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan period at Middlesbrough last season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 23 appearances; the Blades fought off interest from Luton
By Lyall Thomas, News Editor @SkySportsLyall
Sheffield United have agreed a fee with Aston Villa for striker Cameron Archer.
There are still some final elements of the deal to conclude – but he is close to signing for the Blades.
One source has told Sky Sports News the fee is worth £18m.
Luton were also understood to have been trying for a loan move but Villa favoured a permanent deal.
Sheffield United originally identified Archer as an option to replace Iliman Ndiaye, who has left for Ligue 1 club Marseille, in early August.
They wanted Chuba Akpom and Malik Tillman but both have since signed for Eredivisie clubs – Akpom has gone to Ajax, while Tillman was snapped up by PSV.
A host of Championship clubs were also eyeing a move for Archer, who scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 23 appearances under Michael Carrick during a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season.
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