By Wayne Veysey

18th Aug, 2023 | 8:05am

Sources: Aston Villa want £20m for Archer after £10m Sheffield United bid rejected

Aston Villa have told clubs they want £20million for striker Cameron Archer this month, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed that Unai Emery has given the green light to the striker, 21, leaving before the window shuts.

But Villa have increased the asking price for Archer after, as revealed by Football Insider on Wednesday (16 August), knocking back a £10m offer for him from Sheffield United.

The Premier League new boys have set their sights on prising the forward, 21, from Villa Park as they look to bring in a goalscorer this month.

Sheffield United, who lost their season-opener against Crystal Palace, lost goalscoring forward Illman Ndiaye to Marseille earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, 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.

The 21-year-old was a similar hit at Preston – also scoring seven goals in 20 Championship appearances on loan in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.

Archer, who penned a fresh five-year contract at Villa Park last year, has played just seven senior minutes for Aston Villa since Unai Emery’s arrival.

He has managed four goals in 13 total senior appearances for Aston Villa.

Villa, like Sheffield United, were beaten in the first game of the new season – losing 5-1 away at Newcastle.

Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran are the other striking options for Emery.

In other news, Midlands rivals ready to accept £40m Villa offer for star man.