Plymouth Argyle backed to challenge Sheffield Wednesday for 'proven' League One star | OneFootball

The 26-year-old is available as a free agent this summer after a successful season.

Plymouth Argyle will be among a strong cohort of sides eyeing League One promotion next term after narrowly missing out on the play-offs.

The Pilgrims endured a torrid first half of the season under new manager Tom Cleverley, but he was given the chance to turn around the club's fortunes and did an admirable job in doing so.

Achieving promotion next term will not be simple, though, with a rejuvenated Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City and Oxford United joining an already stellar line-up.

With that in mind, it is imperative that Plymouth get their transfer business spot on this summer, and the club have been told to target a man who will be available for free.

Plymouth: Argyle told to join Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln City in race for Odin Bailey

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Odin Bailey was just one game away from sealing Championship football next season, but after Stockport County's defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final, he will be without a club this summer.

The attacking-midfielder made 43 appearances in the regular league season before starting all three play-off matches, only to be named on the club's released list at the end of May.

Given that he will be available for nothing at the end of the month, the 26-year-old will be in demand, with Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln already linked with his services.

When asked whether he would like to see his club make a move for Bailey, FLW's Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge was in no doubt but could foresee a potential barrier.

"I'd be delighted if we were able to sign Odin Bailey," he told Football League World.

"What I do think is there'll probably be a few clubs in for him, so competing with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Lincoln will be difficult with wages, potentially going higher than what we're able to pay.

"But the best bit, obviously, is a free transfer, so he won't cost anything in terms of a transfer fee. But again, it'll boil down to wages and whether we're able to compete with Lincoln, who are now in the Championship.

"So fingers crossed that we're making waves for him and asking the question, and I guess we'll be linked with many players, as many clubs are this season, but he would be one that I would be delighted to get through the door."

What would Bailey bring to Home Park?

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Given that Cleverley will be targeting the top of the table, he will need players who can compete at that level, and Bailey certainly ticks that box.

The 26-year-old contributed four goals, a career high, and two assists as Stockport achieved a third-placed finish, and produced some admirable individual statistics in the process.

Bailey ranked in the top five per cent of League One attacking-midfielders for touches in the opposition box, successful dribbles and successful passes, according to Futmob and Luke likes what he has seen.

"He's 26, he's left-footed, he's one of those really versatile players," Luke continued. He's an attacking-midfielder, he can play as a 10, he can play on either wing, he can even drop deeper when needed.

"But he's got that creativity that, when we haven't got Ralls and Kane, which neither have signed this season, then we will definitely miss.

"He's got excellent delivery from set pieces, he's got a decent shot from distance, and he's got the ability to put defenders on the back foot and link up play nicely. But what I really like about him is he's just not flashy. He works hard, he's got a good pace, and he brings real technical quality.

"Now for us, hopefully we will be chasing promotion next season, and he's the type of player that will give us energy and flexibility and maybe that extra spark in the final third. I could imagine him linking up really well with the current attackers we've got in Tolaj, Pepple and Oseni, should they stay."

The Pilgrims certainly did not find scoring goals a problem last season, and if they can add a man with Bailey's quality, then they will be among the league's top scorers again next term.

With Tolaj linked with a move away from the club, Argyle could be about to lose their top goalscorer and would need to replace him with a player of a similar ilk to benefit creative players.

While the Owls and the Imps will have obvious pulling power in the summer, Plymouth are still an appealing club in League One, and if they want Bailey, then they will surely be a contender to sign him.