Two of the form sides in EFL League One, Plymouth Argyle and Bolton Wanderers, are interested in a loan deal for out-of-favour Wrexham striker Ryan Hardie before Monday evening’s transfer deadline.
Since his arrival in North Wales last summer, the 28-year-old has been starved of first-team action for Phil Parkinson’s side.
Either of the interested parties represents an attractive challenge for the Scotsman. A move to Plymouth Argyle would see him return to the club he left just over seven months ago, while he would reunite with former head coach Steven Schumacher if he were to opt for the Trotters.
According to Anthony Joseph, the Lancashire club is in talks as they attempt to hunt down the automatic promotion places in League One. The bond between the former Rangers man and the Argyle faithful could be a temptation for both sides in the coming days.
Plymouth Argyle Plot Sensational Ryan Hardie Return
After a rocky start to the campaign, the good times seem to be rolling again at Home Park, and a homecoming for Hardie would amplify the feel-good factor permeating the club right now.
He made a mammoth impact during his four-year stint in Devon, where his prolific scoring record helped fire the Pilgrims back to the Championship. He registered 53 goals for the club in over 170 appearances in all competitions.
His pace in behind, coupled with his well-documented composed finishing, saw Wrexham come calling back in June. But with Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass both enjoying fruitful seasons at the Racecourse Ground, breaking into the starting 11 has proven difficult for Hardie.
Tom Cleverley’s team has lost just one of their last ten league matches, and now seems to be looking up the table rather than behind. The division’s top scorer, Lorent Tolaj, already has proficient cover in Bim Pepple and Owen Oseni, but Hardie could be the perfect tonic for a late-season assault on the play-off positions.
Make no mistake, should a return to familiar surroundings materialize, few signings would be more warmly embraced, with the Green Army eagerly anticipating the potential of a renewed presence of the former Scotland under-21 international.
Bolton Wanderers Boss To Turn To Familiar Ally
Steven Schumacher was in charge at Home Park when Ryan Hardie made his second loan spell in Devon a permanent deal back in 2021. With a clear admiration for the player evident, the 41-year-old now sees him as a potential catalyst to ignite their pursuit of the coveted top two positions.
Wanderers are currently six points adrift of second-placed Lincoln City, with the pair set to meet in two weeks’ time. Despite an otherwise strong campaign, Bolton have occasionally struggled to consistently convert their chances into goals.
With Schumacher hinting at multiple incomings at the Tough Sheet Community Stadium before Monday’s deadline during his prematch media duties for the club’s YouTube channel, the club clearly feels that the opportunity to secure promotion this season is very tangible.
Hardie boasts recent and extensive quality proven at this level and beyond, and this, coupled with the head coach’s potential usage of their personal connection, could be decisive in forcing through a deal.