Southampton FC fielding Cameron Archer interest that could take him into next season's Champions League | OneFootball

The Saints' striker is reportedly of interest to the Dutch giants

Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven are plotting a late transfer raid for Southampton striker Cameron Archer.

That is according to a fresh report from Football Insider on Thursday afternoon, with the Dutch side registering their interest in the former Aston Villa and Sheffield United forward as Peter Bosz looks to bolster his side's attacking firepower before Monday's cut-off point for business.

Southampton have registered one win, draw and defeat in their opening three Championship encounters under Will Still against Wrexham, Ipswich Town and Stoke City, although the newly-appointed manager is yet to utilise Archer's services on a regular basis, which has alerted the Dutch side to his signature.

Meanwhile, PSV have made a strong start when it comes to keeping the Eredivisie at the Philips Stadion for the third consecutive season, emerging as one of two sides in the Dutch top-flight to have taken maximum points from their opening three encounters alongside NEC Nijmegen.

PSV Eindhoven plot late transfer window raid for Southampton striker Cameron Archer

In recent seasons, Archer has gained a reputation for being one of the smartest young finishers in the second-tier after two successful loan spells with Preston North End and Middlesbrough between 2022 and 2023 after progressing through the ranks at Villa Park.

After finding the back of the net 11 times and posting a further six assists in just 23 appearances for the Teesside outfit, who reached the play-off semi-finals under Michael Carrick, the forward moved to Sheffield United for £18m, yet after a dismal season at Bramall Lane in which he scored just four times, Archer was re-signed by the West Midlands side before moving to St Mary's last summer for £15m.

The Walsall-born forward has so far scored six times in 45 appearances for Saints. And, after being the subject of interest from Leeds United in January, he could be on the move for a third successive summer, as per Football Insider's aforementioned update.

The report states that PSV have been alerted to Archer's current situation in Hampshire, in which he has featured in all three Championship games as a substitute, as well as starting both EFL Cup successes against Northampton Town and Norwich City - including a goal in the 3-0 win at Carrow Road - and they have lodged an enquiry over the possibility of taking the 23-year-old on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

It is also claimed that the Dutch champions are looking at alternative targets though, one of whom currently plies their trade in the Premier League.

Cameron Archer could be open to PSV Eindhoven loan move amid lack of regular starting minutes with Southampton FC

This is an intriguing predicament for the striker to be in, as it would benefit Archer massively to have a sustained, uninterrupted period at a permanent club where he is featuring regularly, and that may not be the case at St Mary's right now.

Of course, having a striker of his ability to bring off the bench in the second-half when opposition defences are stretched is a lethal weapon in Still's heavily-stacked, high-quality armoury on the South Coast. Yet, as proven by his previous record at this level, a player of such calibre is far too good to be sitting on the bench for the majority of a 46-game season.

Archer is currently battling it out with fellow forwards who also bring a wealth of second-tier experience as well as new recruit, Damion Downes, meaning a continental move for the first time in his career could be a head-turner.

A move to Eindhoven also represents the prospect of featuring in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, with PSV set to learn their 'League Phase' opponents in Friday afternoon's draw.