Plymouth Argyle have endured a difficult start back to life in League One, with work in the transfer market still a priority before the September deadline.
Sitting in 23rd place, having lost all four of their league outings, struggles at both ends of the field have been made evident.
However, Tom Cleverley’s hunt for a striker may be coming to a close, after the club has reportedly triggered Port Vale’s £1.2 million release clause for Lorent Tolaj.
Lorent Tolaj to Plymouth Argyle
According to reports from Anthony Joseph via X, Plymouth have paid the £1.2 million clause for Lorent Tolaj, who starred in Port Vale’s promotion last season and has already opened his account in League One.
Finding the net in Vale’s loss at home to Stevenage on Tuesday, the Swiss frontman tallied 14 goals and eight assists as Darren Moore’s side achieved automatic promotion last season.
Tolaj’s career trajectory has been excellent over recent seasons, having only made the step up from the National League last season.
Now set to make the step-up to a side expected to challenge at the sharp end of the third tier, the 23-year-old could prove to be an astute piece of business for Cleverley.
A striker has been in rich demand for the Pilgrims this summer, after talisman Ryan Hardie’s move to Wrexham left big boots to fill.
The striker will contend with Aribim Pepple and Owen Oseni for the number nine role; the latter has made a respectable start to life at Home Park, scoring a brace as Argyle beat QPR in the Carabao Cup.
A Transitional Season for Plymouth Argyle
Having been relegated from the Championship after a two-year stint, the sudden departure of Milon Muslić to Schalke has left Cleverley to pick up the pieces.
With a bulk of the foundations left by Steven Schumacher and Ryan Lowe now gone, the Green Army will need to build a new identity under the former Watford manager.
Still boasting the talents of Bali Mumba and Brendan Galloway, there is a young core of the squad that could go on to be top performers at the level.
Possessing one of the most exciting managers at the level, patience is likely required at Home Park before the club can begin challenging for a return to the second tier.
The potential acquisition of Tolaj could be pivotal, as the striker provides a focal point for the team to build around, in a similar way Hardie did.
What Next for Port Vale
Despite disappointments at potentially losing their star man this late on in the transfer window, this will go down as an excellent piece of business.
Having joined the club from Aldershot Town for an undisclosed fee last summer, the reported £1.2 million release clause will go down as a huge profit.
While the profit made on the Swiss striker is excellent, there will be a huge onus on investing in a replacement in the remaining week of the window.
Winless thus far, Vale have shown an excellent solidarity and togetherness within their performances this season.
Unfortunate not to win against Cardiff City the other week and losing to two late goals from the league leaders in the midweek, Vale fans can feel hard done by in the opening four games.
The final week of the window will be pivotal for the club, with their star man nearing an exit, introducing new pressure in the final week of the window.