EX-MIDDLESBROUGH loanee Cameron Archer faces an uncertain future after his return to Aston Villa was confirmed this week.

Archer, who impressed on loan at Boro in the second half of the 2022/23 season, left Villa for Sheffield United 12 months ago.

The agreed fee was £18m but there was a clause in the contract which meant Archer would return to Villa if the Blades were relegated. United ended up paying what they forked out for their initial up-front instalment, which effectively ended up acting as a loan fee for last season, rather than anywhere near the full £18m.

But that means his 'sale' back to Aston Villa will not boost Chris Wilder's transfer kitty this summer as United - who will start the Championship season on minus two points after a deduction - target an immediate return to the top flight.

As for Archer, well his future is unclear as things stand. But having been allowed to leave Villa last summer, he has a real fight on his hands if he wants to force his way into Unai Emery's plans and another move is likely.

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Quizzed on Archer's return at the end of last season after Sheffield United's relegation was confirmed, Emery said: "Yes at the beginning he's coming back. We are analysing [players] and we are going to meet with (owners) Nassef (Sawiris) and Wes Edens).

"We are going to try to individually analyse each situation and try to take the best decision with every player."

Archer was in-demand last summer on the back of his blistering Boro loan spell but couldn't find his best form in a struggling Sheffield United side, scoring just four goals in 30 top flight appearances.

The uncertainty surrounding Archer has led to plenty of Middlesbrough fans asking whether a Riverside return could be on the cards, but that has always felt extremely unlikely.

He wasn't in Boro's thinking at the start of the summer simply because of how unlikely and difficult it would be to strike a deal.

While Boro will naturally keep half an eye on Archer's situation, any move for the 22-year-old would be extremely expensive and the striker is thought to want Premier League football. Bournemouth have been heavily linked.

Another of Aston Villa's former Boro loanees looks set to be heading for the Championship, however, with Calum Chambers close to joining Cardiff City.

The 29-year-old, who spent the 2016/17 Premier League season on loan at the Riverside from Arsenal, isn't in Emery's plans and is now set to join the Bluebirds.