Plymouth Argyle backed to strike 'smart' Grimsby Town transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit believes Grimsby Town striker Jaze Kabia could be the perfect replacement for the departed Lorent Tolaj.

Plymouth Argyle will be hoping to launch another promotion push in League One this season.

Plymouth sat in the relegation zone at the halfway point of last season, but while they climbed the table after a significant upturn in form in the second half of the campaign, it was not enough to force their way into the play-offs, with Tom Cleverley's men eventually finishing in eighth place.

Plymouth Argyle facing big transfer dilemma after Lorent Tolaj exit

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It has been a busy start to the summer for Plymouth, with six new signings arriving at Home Park so far in Murphy Cooper, James Storer, Wes Harding, Alex Hartridge, Alex Mitchell and Harvey White.

However, there have also been some high-profile exits, with the likes of Conor Hazard, Brendan Galloway, Ayman Benarous and Jamie Paterson departing at the end of their contracts, while star striker Lorent Tolaj has joined Championship side Bristol City for an initial fee of £4 million plus add-ons.

Tolaj enjoyed a stunning debut season with the Pilgrims following his £1.2 million move from Port Vale last summer, scoring 21 goals and providing eight assists in 35 appearances, so replacing him will certainly be a tough task for the Devon outfit.

Cleverley admitted this week that signing a new number nine is a "top priority" for Argyle before the end of the transfer window, and they have been linked with a move for Burnley striker Michael Mellon, who scored 10 goals in 18 games during a loan spell at Oldham Athletic in League Two last season.

Plymouth Argyle urged to launch Grimsby Town transfer raid for Jaze Kabia

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When asked which player he would love the club to sign this summer, FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge revealed that he would be keen to see the Pilgrims swoop for Grimsby Town striker Jaze Kabia.

After scoring 16 goals in 44 games to help Truro City to the National League South title, Kabia joined the Mariners last summer, and he netted 23 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions as David Artell's men missed out on promotion from League Two following a play-off semi-final defeat to Salford City.

"I think Jaze Kabia at Grimsby would be a smart signing for us," Luke told FLW.

"He's only 25, so he's still got his best years ahead of him, but he's already shown he can score goals at a high level in the EFL.

"He scored 17 league goals last season at Grimsby in League Two and finished with 23 in all competitions.

"The year before, he was down this way banging them in for Truro when they won the National League South title, so there's a clear upward trajectory.

"What I like most is his versatility.

"He can play up front as a proper centre forward or out on the left wing, and he's comfortable cutting inside.

"After losing Tolaj's goals this summer, having someone who can do both roles would give Tom Cleverley real flexibility.

"He doesn't have to be the main striker every week, he can rotate or stretch defences from wide areas.

"He's also the right age and the right price range.

"He's not some unproven kid or an expensive veteran either.

"He's got one solid EFL season under his belt already, he's shown he can handle the physical side of the game, and he's still got room to improve in League One.

"For me, it's a low risk, high reward type of signing.

"He's a proven goalscorer who can play in more than one position.

"He's still young enough to develop, and coming from a club that reached the play-offs, I honestly think he'd settle in quickly and give us another genuine goal threat."

Plymouth Argyle may hit Jaze Kabia stumbling block amid Stoke City links

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Finding a suitable replacement for Tolaj will be one of Plymouth's biggest challenges in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, but Kabia may be capable of filling the boots of the departed striker.

After making the step up from the sixth tier, Kabia enjoyed a prolific first year at Grimsby last season, and having previously lived in the area during his time at Truro, the 25-year-old is unlikely to be deterred by the geographical factor of making the move to Home Park.

However, Kabia was linked with Stoke City earlier in the summer, and while they are yet to firm up their interest with a formal bid, it would surely be tough for him to turn down the opportunity to play in the Championship if the Potters came calling.