Salford City are interested in signing goalkeeper Jordan Archer as his Portsmouth future has been cast into doubt.
The Ammies are looking to reinforce their squad to reach League Two playoff football for the second time in their history after missing out on the top seven by just one point last season. They have been active in the National League market with signings for Kallum Cesay and Adebola Oluwo, but now seem to be targeting more experienced EFL figures.
Robinson Needs Goalkeepers
With Salford not having any senior goalkeeping options following Matty Young’s return to Sunderland and Jamie Jones leaving the club after his deal expired, it seems that Karl Robinson has identified Jordan Archer as a possible candidate, according to the Portsmouth News. Archer joined the Fratton Park side last summer on a free transfer and played three times for John Mousinho’s side.
However, his chances of future first-team action at Pompey could well be over, after the midseason signing of Barnsley‘s Ben Killip displacing the 32-year-old as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Nicolas Schmid. Further shot stopper options are being weighed up, with Aflie Whiteman being brought in on trial following his release from Europa League champions Spurs.
Archer has played just 17 times since the start of 2020, playing for Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth. It would be a reunification with Robinson should he make the switch to League Two, with the Ammies boss signing the goalkeeper for Oxford United on a short-term contract in 2019.
Salford have been looking at trialist goalkeepers during their opening pre-season fixtures, with former Oldham Athletic and Blackpool player Mackenzie Chapman playing between the sticks in their most recent match against non-league Warrington Rylands.
Writers’ View
Karl Robinson knows Jordan Archer well from their time together at Oxford United so a move for his former goalkeeper is understandable as he looks for new options. Archer’s future at Portsmouth seems to be in real threat with other goalkeepers now at the club on trial and having been dropped down the pecking order by Ben Killip, his first-team chances are minimal. A drop down two divisions into League Two may not be ideal, but with Salford City, he could expect regular game time for a side which will be a contender in the fourth tier.
