Rhodes signs: Darren Moore will be on cloud nine if these things happen at Port Vale | OneFootball

Port Vale will be hoping to bounce straight back to League One at the first time of asking, but boss Darren Moore has the unenviable task of reshaping his squad with a limited budget.

With 16 first-team players still under contract, Moore will need to see players leave if he is to completely overhaul a squad which struggled at both ends of the pitch as they were relegated last season.

However, Vale have already shown ambition in the transfer market, announcing the signing of former Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis on a three-year-deal. Vale fans will be hoping he is the first of many ambitious announcements that sets Moore and his squad up nicely for a promotion push.

Here Port Vale reporter Seb Short looks at three more moves the Vale hierarchy could make that would put Moore on cloud nine...

1 Jordan Rhodes coup

This would undoubtedly be a real coup for Port Vale, but signing someone of the calibre of Jordan Rhodes would send shockwaves through League Two, and would surely see a huge increase in season ticket sales at Vale Park in pre-season.

With the release of James Wilson, and with the news that Uche Ikpeazu has not taken up Vale's contract offer and has instead signed for St Johnstone, Vale will be desperate for a proven goalscorer - and none come more proven than the 244 goal 34-year-old former Blackburn and Middlesbrough man.

Rhodes and Moore worked together briefly in a three-month spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Rhodes made eight starts and five substitute appearances, scoring three goals, in Moore's 13 games in charge. But it wasn't enough to keep the Owls in the Championship, and out-of-contract Rhodes left to re-sign for the club where he made his name, Huddersfield Town.

Rhodes spent 13 consecutive seasons in the Championship before he found himself sent on loan last season from parent-club Huddersfield to Blackpool.

Ironically, following Rhodes' loan, Moore was installed as the Terriers' boss, and spoke about bringing back Rhodes from his season-long loan. However, Moore was then sacked before the end of the January transfer window, and Rhodes saw the season out at the Seasiders, scoring 15 goals.

Rhodes is now out of contract again, and there are sure to be a host of clubs, including Blackpool, chasing his signature. But if Moore can promise the Scottish international a regular starting berth, and pair him with the likes of Ronan Curtis and Baylee Dipepa, Vale could have the best attacking trio in the fourth tier. Speaking of which...

2 Baylee Dipepa retained (in some form)

In a dismal last season for Port Vale, the emergence of a home-grown 17-year-old striker was undoubtedly the highlight.

Following his three goals in League One, and four goals for England under-17s, Dipepa is being linked with a host of top clubs around Europe, including West Ham United and Manchester United.

However, Dipepa appears very grounded and told the Port Vale website of his "good relationships with people" at the club when he received his first international call up.

If a big offer did come in for Dipepa it may prove hard for owner Carol Shanahan to resist, but the youngster does have two more years left on his current deal.

It may be that big clubs want to see another season from Dipepa, who will only turn 18 in January 2025, before they commit to an outlay. Alternatively, it could be that Vale cash in but request a loan back.

However, Vale are hopeful of Dipepa staying. In an interview with The Valiant, Chief Executive Matt Hancock said boss Moore was preparing to begin the season with Dipepa.

He said: "The club’s position is he is very much a Port Vale player. We love him, we love his family, we love what he is doing.

"His development over the last couple of years has been unbelievable. To see his work rate, strength and desire for football and to score goals, which is where your real value is, has been fabulous.

"We know there is going to be interest. There have been no official approaches and, to be totally honest, I know Darren is planning for a season with Baylee in our first-team squad."

3 A new centre-back

If the Valiants can sort out their attack, and keep hold of existing creative players such as Ethan Chislett and Ben Garrity, then Moore will then surely look to tighten up his leaky defence.

Nathan Smith had a season to forget last campaign, while he was partnered at the back with inexperienced League One performers Kofi Balmer, Jesse Debrah and Alex Iacovitti.

Moore must have eyes on solid defenders with League One and League Two experience, such as Irishman Warren O'Hora, who has just been released by MK Dons.

O'Hora has amassed 150 appearances across the two divisions in five seasons with the Dons, and like Rhodes, will surely have a host of clubs to choose from.

At just 25, he would fit the profile that Port Vale are looking for, being able to sign a multi-year contract like Ronan Curtis.

It remains to be seen whether Moore favours a four or five man defence - he tried both towards the end of last season - but a trusted campaigner like O'Hora must be high up on the list if Vale are to offer better protection to goalkeeper Connor Ripley.