Plymouth Argyle's first summer signing is a no-brainer for Tom Cleverley | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle signing Owen Dale is a no-brainer for Tom Cleverley, following the winger's release from Oxford United.

The summer transfer window is shaping up to be a hectic one for Plymouth Argyle, who narrowly missed out on a League One play-off place on the final day of the season.

Had you told a Janner back in October that going into the final day of the season their side would have an outside chance at a place in the top six, they likely would've laughed right back in your face.

The 2025/26 campaign was a real Jekyll and Hyde ordeal for the Devonian club, as a miserable 2025 was followed up by a stunning 2026 thanks to some sensible recruitment in the January transfer window.

Players such as Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj have been the subject of plenty of interest heading into the summer thanks to their contributions, both of whom will be extremely difficult to replace should they depart Home Park.

However, when it comes to incomings, there is one fairly obvious name that Tom Cleverley has already confirmed he would like to sign, and it's fair to say this deal is a no-brainer for everyone involved.

Owen Dale's Plymouth Argyle loan spell may not look successful on paper, but it was

Whilst Argyle do have some valuable assets on their books, such as Pepple and Tolaj, some of their best business came from the loan market, with the likes of Alex Mitchell becoming a fan favourite at Home Park.

One man whose contributions went slightly under the radar though was Oxford United loanee Owen Dale. The winger played 28 times for the Greens in League One, scoring once and chipping in with three assists.

Whilst this isn't the most impressive record on paper, Dale missed just under two months of the season with an ankle injury, which came just as he started to find some form in December.

However, when he returned to action, the 27-year-old was a stalwart in Cleverley's side, occupying the left flank, where he shone thanks to his exceptional work rate and enthusiasm.

When Ronan Curtis joined in January, Argyle settled into a 4-4-2, with Dale slotting straight in on the other wing opposite the new signing seamlessly, and it soon became clear he suited this system to a tee.

The Oxford loanee may not have mustered many goal involvements, but his impact on matches was integral to the side's success, as he would run himself into the ground to ensure the Pilgrims earned themselves a positive result.

His contributions to the side in the gritty parts of the game are what gained him the most plaudits, which saw him end the season with 99 defensive contributions, 88 ball recoveries, and 39 fouls won.

Dale's strong end to the season certainly endeared him to the Green Army, who had split opinions on him prior to this.

Permanent Owen Dale reunion a no-brainer for Plymouth Argyle

Despite a relatively strong loan spell and Oxford succumbing to relegation from the Championship, it was confirmed Dale will be released by his parent club at the end of June upon the expiration of his contract.

Plymouth boss Cleverley had already spoken about his keenness to bring the 27-year-old back down south in the summer, and the opportunity is now there for him to do so without paying a transfer fee.

With that in mind, this deal seems like an absolute no-brainer for all parties. Argyle would be getting a proven winger who fits their system perfectly and is clearly willing to put his body on the line for both the badge and his manager for absolutely free.

As for Dale himself, he would be returning to a club where he's played some of his best football in recent years and be playing in a system which allows him to play to his strengths, showing the very best of what he has to offer.

Whilst this wouldn't be a glamorous signing, it would certainly be a sensible one, similar to the acquisition of Curtis in January, which reshaped the course of Argyle's season entirely.

With plenty of transfer activity expected for the Pilgrims in the coming months, Cleverley could do a lot worse than landing the permanent signing of Dale to kick off his summer business.