Plymouth Argyle should meet any further Leeds United advances with stern response | OneFootball

Bali Mumba is reported to have been watched by scouts of the Whites earlier this month

Everyone associated with Plymouth Argyle knows full well what the main objective is between now and the end of the season: stay up at all costs.

After appointing Miron Muslic and earning a fantastic win over Brentford in the FA Cup at the start of 2025, the Greens have reason for some much-needed positivity heading into the new year, and will be doing all they can to reverse the fortunes that came in the opening few months of the 24/25.

With that in mind, the Devon outfit will want to keep a squad intact that is prepared to give their all to keep the side in the second tier, and that means rejecting advances for any of their top talents, regardless of how much dosh is waved under their noses.

While it is usually Morgan Whittaker that is attracting interest, it is fellow club-record signing Bali Mumba who is said to have had his suitors of late, although previous evidence proves Argyle will be playing hardball regarding any potential departures this winter.

Leeds United monitor Bali Mumba as Daniel Farke eyes Norwich City reunion

It was revealed earlier this week by Leeds United News that the club in which they are infatuated sent scouts to watch Mumba in that famous win over the Bees at the weekend, and the Yorkshire side would likely have been impressed with what they saw during that display in West London.

The former Norwich City man was a constant menace down the left-hand side for the Pilgrims, with his ingenuity setting Callum Wright up with an opportunity in the first-half, with a back heel into the path of the forward catching the hosts’ backline unawares.

As usual, the defender meandered past the opposition with the ball at his feet, while a disciplined defensive effort helped to keep Thomas Frank’s side at bay, with just two shots on target allowed throughout the 90 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Mumba’s talents will be well known to United boss Daniel Farke, with the German working with the player during their respective times at Carrow Road, with rumours of a reunion circulating as the Championship leaders look to add to their squad for the second-half of the campaign.

Plymouth Argyle must thwart Leeds United, Bali Mumba interest

Argyle have taken great care to make sure they don’t lose any of their top talents on the cheap in recent years, with Mumba signing a four-year deal with the club in the summer of 2023, after joining the club in a joint-club-record deal for £1 million on the back of helping the club to earn promotion from League One while on loan.

That leaves two-and-a-half years on his current deal, and with his value likely to have increased after more than 60 matches in the second tier under his belt, the Pilgrims are in a strong position when it comes to any negotiations surrounding their defender.

With the arrival of Muslic, the Home Park side look to be turning back to a back five, something in which Mumba excelled during the promotion campaign, as well as when the club have opted back to the tried and tested method under different managers over the past 18 months.

That system relies so much on players like Mumba to use their enthusiasm and energy down the flanks to create width, and pick out a teammate in the middle with their deliveries, just as Tymoteusz Puchacz did on the opposing side for Rami Al Hajj’s equaliser in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

While Matty Sorinola has impressed in recent weeks, there are still doubts over Nathanael Ogbeta’s competency as a second tier wing-back or full-back, leaving Mumba fundamental to the plans going forward, and making a departure absolutely unfathomable right now.

Sure, he can frustrate with loose control here and there, and a misplaced pass or two after forays forward, but his loss would be a massive blow to Argyle at this moment in time, and any advances from his old boss need to be rebuffed, at least until the end of the season, when the Greens can take stock and look to move players on if needs be.

January is not the time to be completely ripping things up and starting again; there may well be a new boss in town, but a togetherness in the squad and players who are used to each other’s traits is just as important as anything, and Mumba’s inclusion in that nucleus can make all the difference between now and May.