Lee Gregory in, Ryan Loft out: The dream start to Port Vale's summer transfer window | OneFootball

Port Vale are on the lookout for a prolific striker to help fire them back into League One, and could do worse than turn to an experienced campaigner who used to play for their bitter rivals.

Vale's troubles in front of goal last term were horrendous, with strikers James Wilson, Uche Ikpeazu and Ryan Loft netting just six league goals between them, and being forced to turn to 17-year-old youth prospect Baylee Dipepa, who chipped in with three.

After firing director of football David Flitcroft after his bungled transfer moves left Vale short in most departments, it appears now that boss Darren Moore will be overseeing the clubs incomings and outgoings, and he may well turn to players he has worked with before.

And one striker in particular, who endured a tough season in the Championship last campaign, is now a free agent and must surely be on Moore's radar as he looks to bolster his attacking options.

Here, we look at how he fits into a dream start to the summer transfer window for Vale.

In: Lee Gregory

Lee Gregory announced his departure from Sheffield Wednesday after the last game of their season saw them secure their Championship status.

It was a traumatic end to his time with the Owls, after new boss Danny Rohl omitted the former Stoke City and Millwall striker from his 25-man playing squad.

Gregory took to social media to say: "This past year has not been what I wanted and how I wanted my career here to finish, I have been gutted about it and wish it was different as everyone who knows me knows all I wanted to do was play."

Talking about his club's survival, he said: "I am so happy the team stayed up because you all deserve it."

Gregory had enjoyed stellar campaigns under Darren Moore at Hillsborough, scoring 26 times across two seasons in League One as Wednesday reached the play-offs two years in a row.

The second season saw the memorable play-off semi-final comeback win against Peterbrough United, with the Owls coming back from a 4-0 first leg deficit to win on penalties after winning the second leg 5-1 after extra-time. Gregory scored the second goal that night before he started the final against Barnsley, which Wednesday eventually won in the 120th minute through Josh Windass.

If Moore was able to tempt Gregory back to Staffordshire, the 35-year-old would be seen as a huge addition to the squad. Although his time at Stoke wasn't a huge success, Gregory consistently netted double figures in all other seasons with Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, and his eye for goal and link-up play with a second forward is just what Vale have been missing for a number of seasons.

Out: Ryan Loft

Although Darren Moore didn't manage to turn around Vale's fortunes, he is the man being tasked with getting the club back to League One at the first attempt.

At a recent supporters' meeting, Moore was questioned about the players still under contract, as most in the squad signed two-year deals last summer, meaning the club would have to sell or seek a mutual agreement if they were to leave the club.

Supporters were worried that the players who appeared inept at times last season would be the exact same players tasked with promotion next time around, but Moore said: "Just because you see 17 players under contract doesn't mean all 17 will be here for the start of the season. That's the best way I can say it to you." His comments suggested that some of the players will leave – either on loan or permanently - and received a rapturous round of applause from fans at the forum.

One man that Vale fans would like to see leave the club is Ryan Loft. Towards the end of the season, his endeavour and work rate could not be faulted, but the role of any Number 9 at any football club is to score goals, and this is something that Loft has always struggled with.

Loft has played 108 games at League Two level but has scored just 17 times - a rate of less than one goal every six games - with spells at Stevenage, Exeter City, Carlisle United, Scunthorpe and Bristol Rovers in the division before his transfer last summer to Port Vale.

Despite a variety of clubs, there is nothing to suggest Loft is the man to spearhead the Vale attack.

With James Wilson already departing the Valiants following the expiry of his contract, and fellow striker Uche Ikpeazu yet to agree a new deal, if Vale were to receive an offer of any kind for Loft it surely would be taken seriously.

And if they were able to bring in an experienced campaigner such as Gregory, this could help the likes of Dipepa and the other young talent Vale have on their books to flourish in League Two.