Aston Villa sold academy graduate Cameron Archer to Sheffield United in the summer but there is a unique clause in his contract that could see him return to Villa Park.
Cameron Archer was sold for a reported fee of £18m to Sheffield United last summer.
The 22-year-old only made 14 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring four times, but enjoyed the best spells of his career out on loan.
During his time at Middlesborough last term, he was earmarked as one of the brightest young talents in English football.
Despite arriving on Tyneside in the January transfer window, he struck up the deadliest strike partnership in the Championship with Chuba Akpom, scoring 11 and assisting six goals to help fire Boro into the play-offs.
Michael Carrick waxed lyrical about his performances for the club, praising his incredible talent on several occasions.
Following his brace last season, which ironically, was against Sheffield United, he said: “He’s a big part of the group and I thought his performance in terms of his movement and finishing was excellent. He’s smart and he’s clever”.
When the summer arrived and clubs were circling for his signature, perhaps the Blades looked at his destruction against them and thought he was the real deal.
Since sealing a move to United, Archer has gone on to score three goals in 19 appearances for the Premier League strugglers, including a strike against his former club in December, but he may not remain at Bramall Lane beyond this season if a clause in his contract is triggered.
Cameron Archer could make a shock Aston Villa return
Ahead of Villa’s trip to South Yorkshire on Saturday evening, emotions are complicated by the unique clause in his deal.
If United are relegated from the top flight this term, as per the Sheffield Star, Aston Villa are obligated to buy him back.
The mechanics of the deal mean United will have effectively paid a decent loan fee for Archer while Emery’s employers will have the option to buy their academy graduate back, just for a higher price.
Is this the reason why Aston Villa didn’t buy a striker?
Emery chose not to invest in a new striker during the transfer window, despite Jhon Duran suffering an injury.
The Spaniard claimed he was happy to use Nicolo Zaniolo as a backup, but given his loan expires at the end of the season, Villa will be short on centre-forward options.
Ollie Watkins has had the lion’s share of responsibility this term and has led their charge towards the top four while breaking records along the way.
However, the obligation in Archer’s contract means the club could potentially buy him back if United are relegated.
They are currently rooted to the bottom of the table on 10 points and are nine adrift of 17th place Luton Town.
It’s looking increasingly likely, barring a Chris Wilder survival miracle, that United will be relegated and that could open the door for Archer to return to his boyhood.
Whether that’s the reason Villa didn’t invest in a striker remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a possibility.
