Plymouth Argyle have set their sights on utilising the foreign transfer market once again, with recent links to Elfsborg’s Michael Baidoo emerging.
According to Swedish news outlet, Sportsbladet, Argyle have joined the race to snap up the 25-year-old, with LASK Linz also interested. The Austrian first-tier side have also submitted a bid in order to combat Wayne Rooney’s side’s offer.
Since joining Elfsborg in June 2022, Baidoo has scored 24 goals in three full seasons. This has likely warranted interest from the two aforementioned clubs, as the striker also netted three goals in his side’s recent Europa League Qualification campaign. Linz are currently leading the bidding war however, with a higher fee than Plymouth supposedly on the table.
Argyle currently sit 21st in the Championship after their first three games of the new season. A 4-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday was followed up by two 1-1 draws with Hull City and Queens Park Rangers. An impressive 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup was a much-needed confidence booster.
Rooney’s side have already added plenty of permanent transfers, focusing on quality in depth, to their ranks this summer. These include: Nathanael Ogbeta, Victor Pálsson, Kornel Szucs, and Daniel Grimshaw. Although, the main focus it would seem, has been on loan additions with: Darko Gyabi, Muhamed Tijani, Ibrahim Cissoko, and Michael Obafemi all joining the Pilgrims for this campaign.
With a clear summer overhaul in mind, this could be Plymouth’s ninth signing of the window and Baidoo would have to be secured quickly. This is because the European transfer window shuts on Friday.
In an interview with Elfsborg’s manager, the conversation focused on potential outgoings before the window shuts, and whether the departures of players is perceived as a risk for the Allsvenskan club.
“We do not see it as a risk. There are opportunities in that case. We have players who are interesting. We have some discussions. There is a lot of interest and requests.
“We have all the focus on the Allsvenskan and advancing in the European games. Then we know we have to make certain decisions.”
The interviewer went on to further press the speculation surrounding Baidoo’s potential exit, to which Elfsborg’s boss firmly dismissed:
“You can guess yourself.”
Writer’s View
Baidoo looks to have an impressive profile for a 25-year-old striker, that could already compete for a starting spot with those already within the Argyle ranks. The Ghanaian has experience of one of Europe’s top-flight divisions, as well as a host of impressive Europa League Qualification and Europa Conference League performances.
Rooney’s side could be in dire need of offensive recruits as they look to be tipped for a relegation battle this year. Baidoo is a confident player who likes to cause trouble for defenders in their box and has recently proven to be very clinical when chances fall to him.
This would be a very astute bit of business for Plymouth as another forward-thinking option could solve a worrying concern; the concern over whether there is enough sufficient attacking threat to survive in such a competitive league. Hopefully, this acquisition will also compliment the ever-present quality of Morgan Whittaker, if he stays at Home Park.
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