Bournemouth transfer news: Cherries 'identify' Cameron Archer as forward target

Bournemouth are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa forward Cameron Archer this summer.

Archer rose through the youth ranks at Villa Park, before going on to score four goals in 14 appearances for the senior side.

The 22-year-old returned to Aston Villa last summer after spending the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Middlesbrough.

However, the Villans deemed Archer surplus to requirements and subsequently sold him to Sheffield United for a reported £18.5m fee.

Archer experienced a difficult season with a struggling Sheffield United side, mustering just four goals in 30 Premier League appearances.

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Bournemouth considering Archer pursuit

The striker may have signed a four-year deal with the Blades last summer, but the transfer contained a relegation clause that means Aston Villa are obligated to re-sign their academy product.

However, Archer does not feature in Unai Emery's plans and is expected to be moved on during the course of the summer transfer window.

According to Birmingham World, Bournemouth are considering a move after identifying Archer as a potential transfer target.

The Cherries have kept tabs on Archer's progress and are now weighing up whether to step up their interest with an official approach.

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Why are Bournemouth searching for a new forward?

Bournemouth have already signed a striker this summer, confirming the permanent transfer of Enes Unal following his initial loan move from Getafe.

However, the Cherries are still keen to bolster their firepower ahead of Andoni Iraola's second season in charge of the club.

Bournemouth are likely to offload Kieffer Moore this summer, while star striker Dominic Solanke has been linked with a move away from the Vitality Stadium.

Solanke is attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea after scoring 19 goals in 38 Premier League matches last term.

Even if Solanke stays on the South Coast, Bournemouth are still likely to add strength in depth as they look to build upon last season's 12th-place finish.