Plymouth Argyle backed to sign 'leader' from Charlton Athletic | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth fan pundit shares who their number one transfer target would be this summer

Plymouth Argyle narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs despite a 3-2 victory at Northampton on the final day, though optimism for next campaign is flowing through the club.

Plymouth began life back in the third tier under difficult circumstances, having to quickly search for a replacement for the outgoing Miron Muslic, who left Home Park for Schalke despite leading the club to believe he would remain in charge despite relegation.

Cleverley, fresh off the back of his dismissal from Watford, replaced Muslic at the helm in Devon, and after a difficult start, where at one point it looked certain he would lose his job, the former Manchester United midfielder persevered and turned the club's form around.

Despite eight wins and one defeat in their final 12 league games, the Pilgrims left it too late and would finish just two points outside the top six despite their best efforts.

The likes of Aribim Pepple, Lorent Tolaj, Ronan Curtis, Mathias Ross, and Alex Mitchell all starred for the Pilgrims this campaign, and ahead of the summer transfer window, there is one clear bit of business Football League World's Plymouth fan pundit, Luke, would like the club to do.

Plymouth Argyle have been told to re-sign Alex Mitchell from Charlton Athletic this summer after a successful loan spell

Mitchell, 24, came through the ranks at Millwall and has since spent time out on loan with the likes of Bromley, Leyton Orient, St Johnstone, and Lincoln City, before securing a permanent move to Charlton Athletic in 2024.

He'd feature regularly for the Addicks as they were promoted from the third tier, but was allowed to leave The Valley last summer on loan to Plymouth, where he made 40 league appearances and thrived in the heart of defence.

Luke said, "I would absolutely love it if the club were to be able to sign Alex Mitchell on a permanent contract. I know he's got a year left at Charlton, but apparently talks were happening earlier on in this season regarding the potential of a transfer being able to take place. That's obviously hoping Alex Mitchell would want to come down to Argyle, but he would be top of my list.

"He was outstanding last season when he turned up at the club. He literally turned our defensive problems right around. He's so strong. He's a typical top-tier League One defender. He puts his head where most players wouldn't put their foot. He's a winner. He's a leader. And he's at an age where he's still only about 24, 25 years old.

"He would be a brilliant investment if we were able to sign him. So that would be my number one signing. The rest probably depends on what happens in terms of outgoing.

"Striker-wise, as it stands with Oseni, Pepple and Tolaj, we're looking decent. Likelihood is that I still feel Tolaj will leave. Clubs are already looking for a striker to come in.

"[I'm] not so worried about Herbie Kane joining, but again, that probably depends on whether Joe Ralls is going to sign an extension. [I'm] hoping he does that.

"And obviously, you've got Joe Edwards looking like he's going to be signing an extension as well. So it does depend a lot on who leaves the club. But for me, number one signing, Alex Mitchell, if we can get him through the door, then that would be a fantastic start to the transfer window."

Tom Cleverley should try to sign Alex Mitchell permanently this summer to begin a huge summer transfer window for Plymouth Argyle

Having just narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs, Cleverley will be keen to ensure Plymouth is in the best possible shape to go and attack League One next season.

With Mitchell returning to Charlton for now, a permanent switch could be on the cards, with the Englishman having previously opened the door for a move, saying: "It's a place where I really enjoy going into work every day.

"It's definitely something I'll be looking at, but again there's other factors - I live far from home, I don't see my family obviously as much as I'd like to so that's obviously a hard one, but obviously all the lads are the same, that's just football in general.

"So it's something I'll look at, but again Charlton hold all the cards at the moment with what they want to do, but if they were to let me go I'd definitely really consider it."

Having won the Supporters Player of the Season, it's clear where most Argyle fans stand when it comes to bringing Mitchell back to the club, though whether any deal can be struck with Charlton, at this stage, remains to be seen.