An update has emerged on Sunderland target Cameron Archer during the summer transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to The Athletic, Aston Villa are set to make a decision on the gem's immediate future as they weigh up what to do with him in the 2022/23 campaign.

Keeping him as part of Steven Gerrard's squad to play a back up role has not been ruled out but he may depart Villa Park on a temporary basis.

The Black Cats are reportedly one of the teams vying to land him on loan, with a host of Championship clubs set to battle it out for his signature if his club allow him to leave.

Nathan Broadhead 2.0

Sunderland won promotion out of League One last season and one of their most impressive players throughout the campaign was on-loan forward Nathan Broadhead.

The Welshman, who joined from Everton last summer, scored a whopping ten goals in 15 starts in the third tier as he showcased his immense quality in front of goal at that level.

In Archer, Kristjaan Speakman can land the club's next successful loanee from a Premier League side. The talented young attacker has the potential to make a huge impact in the Championship next season after a promising first full year in professional football.

Journalist Ryan Taylor previously dubbed the £2.4k-per-week gem a "goal machine" and his record throughout 2021/22 backs that comment up.

In the first half of the campaign, the 20-year-old scored ten times and provided two assists in six starts across the EFL Trophy and the EFL Cup, whilst also making three substitute appearances in the Premier League.

This earned him a loan move to Preston in the second tier and he went on to score seven goals and provide one assist in 18 starts. He ended the season with 17 goals and three assists in 24 starts for Villa and North End combined.

These statistics show that he is a natural goalscorer and someone who could add a much-needed threat at the top end of the pitch for Sunderland.

Now that Broadhead has returned to Everton, Ross Stewart is the only player in the squad who hit double figures (26) for goals in League One. The Scotland international is also one of only two players who scored more than four league goals, along with Elliot Embleton (nine).

This suggests that Alex Neil lacks reliable options in the final third and that is where Archer could come in to be Broadhead 2.0 next season if Villa decides to send him out on loan.

AND in other news, Dreyfus can secure Neil his next Stewart with SAFC swoop for "incredible £15k-p/w gem...