MIDDLESBROUGH want to buy striker Cameron Archer from Aston Villa — but will have to find £20million-plus.
The England Under-21 hitman has been helping Michael Carrick’s Boro push for promotion from the Championship in his loan spell from Villa.
And he is on the kind of hot streak that enhances his reputation and value.
The highly-rated forward could be a bargain even at that stunning price tag.
Carrick will make a bid for Archer a priority if they go up and the chance of Premier League football could be appealing.
Boro’s money men have shown their ambition by paying Archer’s Prem wages in full as they go all out for the top flight.
He is due to return to Villa in the summer but the signing of Jhon Duran pushed him further down the pecking order there.
Local lad Archer, 21, who hit ten goals for Boro this term, seems content with his lot.
But a bumper offer would give Villa and the striker something to think about.
Villa may need to keep Archer for an expanded fixture schedule if they qualify for Europe as he would be a handy option for some of the games.
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Yet Villa chief Unai Emery may also have a new hitman in mind if they make the Europa League.
And that would be an even bigger problem for Archer.
