Tom Cleverley's new update on Lorent Tolaj & Bim Pepple situations at Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

Tom Cleverley has addressed the futures of Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple at the start of Plymouth's pre-season

Plymouth Argyle will be aiming to earn promotion back to the Championship next season after a strong end to the previous campaign.

Tom Cleverley came under a lot of criticism in his first months in charge of the Pilgrims, with the team facing the prospect of a second relegation in a row.

However, things improved under the former Watford boss, and the club climbed to eighth in the League One table.

The Devon outfit missed out on a play-off place by just two points, leading to optimism that a promotion push is possible in 2026/27.

Two players Cleverley will be keen to stay at Home Park to help with their promotion push are Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple.

The pair were key to the team’s turnaround in form, but have been the subject of transfer speculation in recent months.

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Cleverley has provided an update on Tolaj and Pepple, claiming that the duo have performed well in training since the squad returned for pre-season, easing concerns over their futures.

He also suggested that Plymouth have a figure in mind that could lead them to sell, but that they are under no financial pressure from owner Simon Hallet or CEO Paul Berne to let either player go this summer.

"From their training and the conversations I've had, Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple look very committed,” said Cleverley, via the club’s X account.

"Like every club outside the Champions League, there is a number that would be discussed, but there is no pressure to sell anyone in the squad and that has been made very clear to me by Simon and Paul.”

It was reported earlier this month that Portsmouth are considering an approach for Pepple, who impressed many for the Pilgrims last season.

The forward contributed 16 goals and two assists from 35 appearances in League One, including only 23 starts.

Meanwhile, Tolaj has attracted interest from a number of clubs in recent months, with Preston North End being the latest club to emerge as a possible next destination.

Both players showcased in the previous campaign that they could be ready to make the step-up to the Championship, and Plymouth’s failure to gain promotion could cost them the forward duo.

Tolaj registered 17 goals and eight assists, with no players in Cleverley’s squad scoring or assisting more in the league.

The 24-year-old made the move to Home Park last summer from Port Vale, and has earned a lot of plaudits for his performances in the last 12 months.

The Swiss has a contract with the League One side until June 2029, giving Plymouth a strong negotiating position if concrete interest does come forward in the coming months.

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Plymouth’s promotion hopes rest on keeping Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj

Tolaj and Pepple scored 35 goals between them last season, so it would obviously be a massive blow if both were to depart over the summer.

Replacing that many goals in a side in one go is an extremely difficult task, and it would be a huge dent in their promotion hopes for the year ahead.

It will have to take a massive couple of offers for both players to go, as even one sale this summer for either player would be a big hit.

Plymouth have to hold firm, and Hallett and Bearne will earn a lot of credit from supporters if the club can keep either, or both, Pepple or Tolaj.