By Wayne Veysey

23rd Aug, 2023 | 11:58am

Sources: Cameron Archer undergoing Sheffield United medical - Aston Villa insist on one-year buyback

Cameron Archer is undergoing a medical at Sheffield United ahead of a permanent move from Aston Villa, sources have told Football Insider.

The two clubs have agreed a total fee of £18million for the 21-year-old.

Football Insider revealed last week (16 August) that Aston Villa had knocked back a £10million offer for Archer from Sheffield United.

The Midlands giants were believed to be holding out for their £20million asking price, but have compromised to allow the England Under-21 to leave the club.

Key to the deal’s completion was the inclusion of a buy-back clause, which allows Villa to re-purchase Archer for £18million in the summer of 2023.

The forward will leave Villa Park permanently and will be eligible to face Unai Emery’s side this season – but the move could end up being more like a complex loan deal if the Midlands giants exercise that option next year.

Archer is keen to get first-team football after thriving out on loan to Middlesbrough in the second half of last season.

He notched 11 goals and six assists from just 20 second-tier matches for Michael Carrick’s side – after finding similar form a year earlier in a spell on loan at Preston.

The Under-21 European Championships winner penned a fresh five-year contract at Villa Park last summer (2022) but has played just 12 senior minutes for Aston Villa since Unai Emery’s arrival in November 2022.

All told, the forward has managed four goals in 13 total senior appearances for the Midlands giants – all of which came in the 2021-22 League Cup.

Sheffield United lost their goalscoring forward Illman Ndiaye to Marseille earlier this summer.

The Blades, managed by Paul Heckingbottom, are widely tipped for relegation this season and have lost both of their opening Premier League games this term.

In other news, Aston Villa in talks to sign two defenders after rival twist.