Transfer Centre
Keep up to date with all the transfer rumours and news surrounding Plymouth Argyle Football Club with the Argyle Life Transfer Centre.
Rumour: Argyle linked with Tshimanga
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are looking to sign Boreham Wood striker Kabongo Tshimanga
Age: 23
Position: Striker
This season: 19 goals and 1 assist in 45 appearances.
Source: Twitter
Verdict: There’s a bit of a mixed bag to unpack here. On the face of it, Tshimanga ticks a fair few boxes for Argyle. He’s only 23, he’s available on a free transfer, and he certainly knows where the back of the net is. His goals to assists ratio suggests he’s perhaps similar to Luke Jephcott, a player who has had great success under Ryan Lowe’s system.
The down side? The source. The “EFL Zone” Twitter account was apparently “reformed” in February 2021. Did somebody finally get their old one banned for spreading fake news? Whatever it was, it’s clear that their business model remains unchanged. They’ll link a player to a few clubs, get likes, retweets and follows from fans of those clubs, and rinse and repeat. At no stage across either edition of their feed has there been any indication of inside knowledge.
The rumour gets two stars because the deal would probably make sense. But it’s worth hearing it from a more reliable source before getting interested.
Rumour rating: ★★
RUMOUR: Argyle lead the race for Mullin
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are battling it out for former Cambridge United forward Paul Mullin with Lincoln City also keen.
Age: 26
Position: Striker
This season: 32 Goals
Source: Richard Stewart
Verdict: I’ll keep this one brief. Everyone and their nan knows that Plymouth Argyle are pursuing former Cambridge United hotshot Paul Mullin which makes this rumour distinctly plausible. However, Richard Stewart isn’t all he seems. A quick google search finds that the profile picture is in fact a judge called Richard Watson who operates within the state of Missouri in the United States of America. A bit different to the “beginner journalist” in which he describes himself as.
Furthermore to this Stewart (or should I say Watson) claims that “Argyle look to have the better resources for this one.” Although Argyle have come a long way since the dark days of administration Argyle and “better resources” rarely find themselves side by side. There could be a possibility that Argyle have better resources than Lincoln but it is hard to believe that we are in the position to out-spend the Championship clubs who are supposedly interested.
Although the rumour is very much plausible based on previous reports the source is questionable to say the least.
Rumour rating: ★
Update: Mullin rejects Cambridge contract
Rumoured Plymouth Argyle target Paul Mullin has rejected Cambridge United’s offer of a new contract.
The 26-year-old, who scored 33 goals in all competitions last season, was first linked to Argyle by Alan Nixon on Twitter. Far from the standard “make it up as they go along” Twitter accounts we often report on, Nixon rarely reports rumours without at least some substance behind them. And whilst he may get things wrong occasionally, he’s done enough to suggest he has more knowledge into transfer dealings than most. Indeed, as we mentioned on our list of free agent strikers this summer, “in truth, had Nixon not tweeted what he had, Mullin would probably fall into the ‘too good to be true’ category. As it is, Argyle have a sniff.”
Today, we’ve had official confirmation that Mullin has turned down a new contract at Cambridge, meaning an announcement on his next destination may be imminent. And whilst Argyle won’t be the only club looking to sign him, Ryan Lowe is rumoured to have offered him a substantial contract.
The Home Park hierarchy may just fancy their chances.
Source: cambridge-united.co.uk
Rumour: Argyle linked with Pugh
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are one of a number of clubs interested in winger Marc Pugh
Age: 34
Position: Winger/Striker
This season: 1 goal and 4 assists in 10 appearances
Source: Twitter
Verdict: You’ve got to say this would be an odd one. Ok, there are a few things that go in Pugh’s favour: he’s experienced, versatile, and has spent a fair amount of his career in the south west of England. But that’s all circumstantial.
Truth is, there’s very little here to suggest that a move for Pugh is imminent. Now 34, he spent much of last season without a club having left Shrewsbury in January 2021. It’d certainly be a huge risk for Argyle to give any sort of reasonable contract to Pugh. Additionally, the source on this one seems far from gospel – a Twitter account formed last August with 46 followers hardly has the feel of high journalistic quality.
Even if there is something to this source, the claim is that Argyle are one of five clubs after the player. So all things considered, this one going through would be quite the surprise.
Rumour rating: ★★
Confirmed: Houghton rejoins Argyle
Jordan Houghton has become Plymouth Argyle sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old, who made 10 appearances on loan at Argyle from Chelsea in 2016, joins following the expiry of his contract at Milton Keynes. He featured in our investigation of the free agents available to Argyle this summer, and has now signed on the dotted line. Houghton is likely to slot into the defensive midfield slot in Ryan Lowe’s system.
Houghton will wear the number 4 shirt during his stay at Home Park.
Source: pafc.co.uk
Confirmed: Argyle sign Bolton from Portsmouth
Plymouth Argyle have completed their second signing of the day, with James Bolton joining from Portsmouth.
As Bolton was under contract at Fratton Park, Argyle have paid a fee to secure his services. This fee has not been disclosed, but is expected to be nominal.
26-year-old Bolton brings versatility to Argyle’s back line. Capable at centre back and right back, one suspects he will be comfortable playing on the right side of Argyle’s back three. He could also be expected to provide cover at right wing back for Joe Edwards, should this be required.
Bolton will wear the number 2 shirt during his time at Home Park.
Source: pafc.co.uk
Confirmed: Burton joins
As rumoured, Plymouth Argyle have completed the signing of goalkeeper Callum Burton. The 24-year-old made 33 appearances in all competitions last season as Cambridge won promotion from League Two.
The news of Burton’s signing was also paired with news of Luke McCormick signing a new deal as a ‘training goalkeeper’ at Home Park. It’s likely, therefore, that Argyle’s business in the goalkeeping department is now complete.
Source: pafc.co.uk
Rumour: Argyle to sign goalkeeper Burton
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are confident of completing the signing of goalkeeper Callum Burton
Age: 24
Position: Goalkeeper
This season: 11 clean sheets in 33 appearances
Source: Football Insider
Verdict: This one is looking pretty likely. Argyle are obviously going to be after a goalkeeper this summer following the release of Jack Ruddy and Luke McCormick being offered a new role. Burton certainly looks as though he will fit the bill.
His release from Cambridge this summer came as a slight surprise. Granted, started last season as backup, and only made the bulk of his starts thanks to an injury to first choice Dimitar Mitov. However, he still played a significant number of games in the Bulgarian’s absence, and you’d have thought he’d have at least been able to provide an adequate backup option for Cambridge in League One. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
The source on this one is good, and the deal makes sense for the club and the player. Don’t be surprised to see this one go through.
Rumour rating: ★★★★
Confirmed: Argyle sign Gillesphey from Brisbane
Following the update earlier today, Plymouth Argyle have now confirmed Macaulay Gillesphey as their third signing of the summer transfer window. Gillesphey is a left-sided centre back, and would probably be expected to take up the left sided position in Ryan Lowe’s back three.
The 25-year-old joins from Australian side Brisbane Roar, where he played under Robbie Fowler having been signed in 2019. Previous to that, he had two loan spells at Carlisle United before joining them permanently from boyhood club Newcastle United in 2018. In Brisbane, meanwhile, he was fancily named the Gary Wilkins Medallist, recognising him as the club’s player of the season in 2019-20.
Lowe was quoted as saying that “I am delighted to finally welcome Macaulay to Argyle. We have been monitoring his situation for some time and keeping regular contact with his agent, and we’re really pleased to get this done. He has got some great defensive and attacking qualities and I am really looking forward to working with him”
Source: pafc.co.uk
Third signing to be completed "shortly"
Plymouth Live are reporting that Argyle will complete their third signing of the transfer window “shortly.” The player is expected to be another defender. Ryan Lowe mentioned last Thursday that he was aiming to sign a third defender “within 72 hours,” and whilst that timescale hasn’t exactly been met, the news that a new signing now appears imminent comes as no surprise.
Manny Monthe was the player most widely linked with the Greens. However, he has since signed a two-year deal with Walsall, and it appears that the player was never really on Lowe’s radar.
Chris Errington’s article also confirms that Argyle’s pre-season training will start on 23rd June, and Lowe hopes to have most of his summer signings in place by that stage. Don’t be surprised, therefore, if we see more signings in the coming days.
Source: Plymouth Live
Rumour: Monthe on the way to Argyle?
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are hoping to win the race for former Tranmere centre-back Manny Monthé.
Age: 26
Position: Centre Back
This season: 1 assist in 34 appearances
Source: EFL ZONE on Twitter
Verdict: Speculation has began to form regarding the destination of Cameroonian defender Manny Monthé with Argyle being one of the names frequently mentioned. At this point we believe that this rumour is simply formed upon speculation which has recently arisen within the Argyle fan base.
Twitter account EFL ZONE has claimed that Argyle are “hoping to win the race to sign departing Tranmere Rovers defender Manny Monthé.” Although this rumour is plausible as Argyle are indeed on the hunt for a dominant left-footed centre, this rumour seems to have little in terms of any backbone with the source in question being a Twitter account that posts a lot of rumours with the hope of occasionally getting the odd one right.
However, despite the source of this rumour we shouldn’t rule out a move for the Cameroonian as it is certainly a plausible option for Ryan Lowe and his team.
Rumour rating: ★★
Lowe: New defender to arrive within 72 hours
During an interview with Plymouth Live Argyle manager Ryan Lowe revealed that “we will hopefully have one more (defender) in the next 72 hours maybe and that will be three solid defenders.” Who this defender is is still a mystery but it is to be expected that the new addition will operate on the left-hand side of the Pilgrims’ back three.
Source: Plymouth Live
Confirmed: Scarr signs permanently
As expected former Walsall defender Dan Scarr has put pen to paper and signed a permanent deal at Home Park following the expiry of his contract at the Banks’s Stadium. Scarr stands at 6ft 2 and many will hope he will be able to solve the Green’s problems from set-pieces.
Source: pafc.co.uk
Rumour: Scarr set to sign for Argyle
Rumour: Plymouth Argyle are set to sign former Walsall defender Dan Scarr after he rejected a contract at the Bank’s Stadium
Age: 26
Position: Centre Back
This season: 4 goals and 1 assists in 35 appearances
Source: Football Insider 247
Verdict: Dan Scarr is one of the few names that has been circling around Home Park this summer but the source behind the rumour was never credible enough to feature until now. Credible source Football Insider has today tweeted informing us that “the deal is expected to be completed imminently,” as the former Walsall man has “agreed terms with Argyle.”
You would be excused for seeing the reaction from Walsall fans and thinking what on earth is going on here? Scarr would arrive at Home Park on the back of a sub-parr year at Walsall. A promotion season with Wycombe Wanderers aside Scarr has, on the face of things, shown little reason to warrant a move to League 1. However, one thing that Scarr does excel at is his ability in the air. Scarr registered 3rd in League 2 last year with the most aerial duels won. With the mass defensive revamp due this summer Scarr seems like a fitting choice in order to solve the Greens’ pitiful set-piece record.
Rumour rating: ★★★★