Report: Steve Bruce tried to sign ‘fantastic’ Aston Villa player for West Brom this summer

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Steve Bruce tried to sign Cameron Archer on loan from his former club Aston Villa this summer and has since been sacked by West Brom.

As per the Athletic, Bruce tried a loan raid on his old employers during the transfer window, looking to get Archer to make a temporary switch across the Midlands.

But Steven Gerrard decided he wanted to keep Archer around to fight for a place in his side for Premier League matches.

Bruce has been given his marching orders at the Hawthorns now, with the Baggies inside the bottom three on 11 points.

Bruce wanted Archer

West Brom had hoped to push on towards a promotion challenge in Bruce’s first season in charge but that has not gone to plan.

It would have been interesting to see how Villa fans reacted to the development of one of their best young players being left in the hands of their former boss who was hardly universally popular.

It has been reported that Archer could leave Villa Park on loan during the January transfer window but we must wait and see how that plays out.

Archer spent time at Preston North End in the Championship last season, and in February, their manager Ryan Lowe said: “Cameron has got an abundance of talent.

“It is getting him in the right places, I don’t want him coming short all the time, I want him to be on the shoulder, sniffing around, being proactive not reactive.

“His quality levels are fantastic , he’s bullish, strong, he can roll, he has got that little burst of pace too.

“When I say there is work to do with him, it is getting him into the system and that is the same with all the lads, it is about learning and coaching.”