Plymouth Argyle should have one eye on star released by Bristol City: View | OneFootball

Andreas Weimann has been released by Bristol City, and Plymouth Argyle should consider a move for the proven Championship forward.

As much as fans and teams can get caught up in the need to spend money during the summer transfer window, bargains are there to be had should teams be willing to search for them.

The ever evolving cycle of clubs wanting to start fresh with new signings, or move on from those who need a change of scenery, can leave top players sitting on the clearance shelf just waiting for a club to take a chance on them.

One such player who is hitting the free agent market this summer is Bristol City forward Andreas Weimann, as the Austrian was not part of the Robins' retained list for next season.

As such, an opportunity for a club looking to do shrewd business this summer such as Plymouth Argyle has presented itself to bag themselves a quality squad player for next to nothing.

Weimann still has goals left in him

At 32, Weimann's prime years may well be in the rear-view mirror, but that's not to say he still doesn't possess the quality that had made him a reliable source of goals in the Championship over previous seasons.

He's still receiving call-ups to represent his national side Austria, with him even bagging a goal in their friendly against Slovakia back in March.

He showed that he can still make an impact at Championship level in his most recent loan spell with West Brom, as two goals and two assists in 12 league appearances is evidence that he is still having a positive effect on games.

Weimann is also only two seasons removed from his stellar 2021/22 campaign, which saw him come third in the golden boot race with 22 goals.

Only Aleksandar Mitrovic's incredible 43 goals and Dominic Solanke's 29 were better, whilst he came ahead of the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz, Joel Piroe, Brennan Johnson and Viktor Gyokeres respectively.

It would ease the burden on Whittaker & Hardie

Morgan Whittaker was a revelation for Plymouth in 2023/24, with his 19 goals and eight assists going a considerable way to securing the Pilgrims' Championship status for next season.

Scotsman Ryan Hardie also bagged himself 12 goals and four assists, in what was the area of the pitch where Argyle undoubtedly were at their strongest.

But both players - especially Whittaker - will have multiple clubs circling them this summer, as every club across the land is always looking for their next goalscorer.

And so, if there is any movement on that front, bringing a player such as Weimann on a free transfer would help nurse the pain, and free up further funds to distribute across the squad.

Even if both players stay, an experienced, versatile forward option would help ease the pressure on Whittaker and Hardie to emulate their exploits once more, as any manager who underestimates their danger this time around will do so at their own risk.

His ability to create for others should also not be overlooked, and this could be a real addition to a Plymouth side which, bar Whittaker's eight and Hardie's four respectively, no other outfield player registered more than three assists for the Pilgrims in the 2023/24 season.