Plymouth Argyle backed to bring ex-Bolton striker to Home Park on one condition | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle have been backed to add a new and experienced League One striker to their ranks this summer, which involves Mansfield Town...

Plymouth Argyle have a number of quality strikers on their books, including Lorent Tolaj, but that hasn't stopped them from eyeing Victor Adeboyejo ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.

The striker's time at Mansfield Town has come to an end, which is why Plymouth Argyle might make a move this summer - they have been linked along wiht Scottish outfit Dundee United.

The 28-year-old came through the youth ranks at Charlton Athletic initially before making a permanent move to Leyton Orient. Productive spells in the National League followed before earning him a switch to Barnsley in 2022.

After arriving at Oakwell, the powerful striker showcased his physicality, work rate, and hold-up play but was not at all prolific. Instead, he had loans with Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United before much more productive spells for Bolton Wanderers and Burton Albion.

He ended the season with six months at Mansfield. However, he has scored 31 goals with six assists in 162 games across League One. That may not sound like much but it has rarely been as the main man, with Adeboyejo often a reliable substitute.

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FLW's Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge was asked for his honest verdict on the fact that reports now suggest that Plymouth are interested in signing Adeboyejo on a free transfer. The 28-year-old scored 16 times in 68 league appearances for Bolton before his recent half-season with Mansfield, where he only scored the once in his 14 outings.

And whilst the Devon outfit are more-than well-stocked in the attacking areas, Plymouth have been told to consider offering the Nigerian a deal if any of their current strike-force are on the move.

Luke told FLW: "Well, we are in a strong position up front at the moment. So, as things stand, I don't think we really need to be bringing in any more strikers.

"Between Pepple, [Owen] Oseni, and Tolaj, the squad looks well-stocked and well-balanced. Those three have shown they can compete for places, chip in with goals, and push each other on, which is exactly what we want.

"Last season was a great example of how the club can develop and improve strikers. Pepple and Oseni stepped up impressively, while Tolaj has continued to progress and look sharper all the time.

"It's given us real depth and options without real need to overload that position. That said, if one of them does move on - which does always feel possible in this landscape, especially with Tolaj's form attracting interest from many other clubs - then someone like Adeboyejo becomes a very sensible option.

"We've been linked with him in multiple windows now, so it's not exactly a surprise. But there is a reason his name keeps coming up. He's 28 now, so still in his prime, brings solid EFL experience, and also had that productive spell at Bolton - 16 goals in 68 appearances.

"He's a proven League One operator. He knows what the level demands. Now, if Tom Cleverley and the recruitment team feel he is the right profile, reliable, and experienced, and a good fit for how we play, then I'd back their judgment."

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But would it be Luke's first choice option to sign Adeboyejo? He argues that a different type of forward is arguably better for the current squad's needs this summer, even if the current recruitment set up has worked effectively so far for Plymouth.

Luke added: "They've earned that trust for how they've built and developed this squad. Having said that, with the success we've had with our younger pair of forwards, it does make me lean towards targeting a slightly younger profile if we are going to be active in the market.

"Players who still have the room to grow physically and develop tactically under our set up could offer more long-term value and upside.

"Adeboyejo would be a safe, low risk, free transfer addition, especially as cover or rotation, but a hungrier and younger striker might align better with the way we've been building.

"Overall, though, he's definitely worth considering as a contingency plan. But I wouldn't be rushing to add him unless there is movement in our current group. We should probably be aiming a bit higher and more ambitiously for the attacking options if we are going to strengthen."