Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has admitted he has identified the ideal player to bring in as he continues to search for a new striker.
The Pilgrims look as if they will begin life in League One without a new attacker after losing Ryan Hardie to Wrexham and Mustapha Bundu to Hannover 96 this summer. They are set to kick off the new campaign against Barnsley on Saturday, although they do have new signings Bim Pipple and Owen Oseni to call upon in the centre-forward position. However, the former is rated as a doubt for this weekend’s fixture.
Cleverley Admits Frustration But Keen To Bring In New Face
Cleverley has already brought in 10 new faces to Home Park since officially replacing Miron Muslic in June. Despite that, he is still targeting more incomings before the transfer window shuts on September 1st.
The priority for the 35-year-old is a new striker. Whilst the search is ongoing, the ex-Watford boss has admitted it hasn’t been straightforward. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, he said:
“It’s very difficult to execute a big move, which it is for our club in getting that player in.
“It’s not as straightforward as just shaking hands and the deal is done.”
Continuing, he admitted that he has identified the ideal player, although didn’t name names. They have however been linked with Nottingham Forest attacker Dale Taylor, who has spent the last three seasons on loan in League One with Burton Albion, Wycombe Wanderers and Wigan Athletic:
“I’m not one for talking about other clubs’ players, but we’ve identified that person and he’s a player I rate highly.
“There’s no point bringing in just a number or someone to keep the anxiety down that we’re short in a position.
“It’s got to be the right one, it’s got to fit in with how I want to play and how I see the team being successful and that’s maybe why it’s taken a little bit longer.
“I’m sure that deal will happen. It’s one that we wished happened six weeks ago, but these things happen.
“You always ask the question ‘why does it take till deadline day to get a deal done?’ but you see why when there’s a lot of cat and mouse in the negotiations.”
Writer’s View
Plymouth have added an array of players to their squad already this summer but they won’t be the only team that enter the new season with some of their transfer business outstanding. Cleverley will be hoping that he can get this deal over the line quickly so that he doesn’t have to play without his preferred options for much of the opening month. It’s certainly a frustrating situation and one he will be hoping to address before they travel to Bolton Wanderers on August 9th.
