The Whites were reported to be ahead of Sheffield United in the race to sign Archer as recently as Tuesday (22 August) as Football League World named the club as favourites, but that has quickly reversed just as Leeds stepped up their pursuit of Piroe.
The two developments are surely connected, as Sun journalist Alan Nixon reported in successive Patreon posts on Wednesday morning (23 August) that the Blades were set for a “stunning” deal to sign the Villa forward, and that Leeds were now ready to pay as much as £15million for his Swans counterpart, with a “massive” contract mooted.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay followed up to report that the Dutchman was “increasingly likely” to leave South Wales as Leeds United work on a move for him, with Daniel Farke in “major” need of a new striker, before Sky Sports reported that talks had been opened between the two clubs.
However, both reports pointed out widespread rival interest, in particular from fellow relegated sides Leicester City and Southampton, each of whom have made big money this summer selling their star players back to the Premier League.
So with the news from Fabrizio Romano, again on 23 August, that a medical has been booked for Archer, 21, at Sheffield United ahead of a deal worth up to £19m, the pressure is very much on at Elland Road to see their alternative move through.
Archer has scored 18 Championship goals in two half-season loans over the previous two campaigns, first with Preston North-End, and then with Middlesbrough last term, while assisting seven more.
Piroe has scored 41 league goals and assisted eight more in his two full seasons with Swansea, making them very attractive alternatives at this level.
But, with Leeds plainly on the verge of missing out on the former, the pressure to succeed in the latter has been amplified dramatically.
Farke desperately needs a striker, as injuries to Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph have forced him to play a string of supporting forwards as a number nine this season.
Willy Gnonto, Joe Gelhardt, and Georginio Rutter are not capable of playing as a lone striker, and the two who are are either injured or inexperienced, bringing in a proven Championship goal scorer is critical, options are running out.
