Plymouth Argyle, Hull City will have opposite feelings about January transfer saga | OneFootball

The Greens were said to have been blocked in their approach for Mason Burstow in the transfer window

Plymouth Argyle were said to be doing all they could do to try and bring a new striker to the club in the January transfer window, but ultimately failed in their quest to find a new marksman.

The Greens reportedly had a £750,000 bid for Notts County striker Alassana Jatta rejected, before also being rebuffed by RKC Waalwijk’s Oskar Zawada, with the player not wanting to move to Devon amid their relegation battle.

Another potential scenario that surfaced after the transfer deadline had passed was the potential transfer of Hull City’s Mason Burstow, which was said to have been stopped by Tigers boss Ruben Selles.

That decision from the Humberside outfit will could prove to have a major impact come the end of the season, with both sides currently embroiled in a relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship.

Plymouth Argyle may be left ruing lack of Mason Burstow deal

Argyle were said to be in talks with Hull about a loan move for Burstow on transfer deadline day, as they frantically sought some extra firepower to help them in their battle against the drop.

BBC Radio Humberside journalist James Hoggarth has since revealed that Selles put a stop to any negotiations, with the former Reading boss unwilling to lend a striker to a fellow relegation rival.

Despite only scoring two league goals all season, Burstow remains at the MKM Stadium to wait in the wings, having not started a Championship match for over a month, with the likes of Kyle Joseph and Joao Pedro preferred up top.

That snub has left Argyle in a dire state of affairs right now, with Mustapha Bundu seemingly the only fully fit striker available, with Muhamed Tijani lending a helping hand from the bench as he makes his way back from a hamstring tear.

Ryan Hardie was forced off with a back issue in the 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers earlier this month, while Michael Obafemi’s fitness concerns have seem him start just one league game this calendar year.

As a result, the Greens are up against it in their battle against the drop, and could have hugely benefited from another body to add competition for the spots up top, while also give the regular starters a chance for rotation.

After a brief upsurge in results after Muslic’s arrival - where Hardie netted five goals in three games in all competitions - the Pilgrims have struggled to make much impact in the final third of late, with lacklustre displays against Blackburn, Luton and Cardiff City only resulting in two points.

Despite having a man advantage over the Bluebirds for the majority of the second-half, and a goalkeeper in Jak Alnwick who could barely stand for the final few minutes at the weekend, Argyle only managed a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, as Tijani netted his first goal for the club to grab the equaliser.

While there will be hope that the Nigerian can kick into gear after getting off the mark in green, recent optimism has been stopped in its tracks with Hardie’s injury, with the Greens likely looking back on their January business with regret.

Hull City will love Plymouth Argyle consequences after Mason Burstow rejection

The real winners in this scenario are Hull, with Selles’ decision to block Burstow’s move coming up trumps in recent weeks, with Argyle struggling for options in the final third.

While he hasn’t set the World alight on Humberside, he will likely have been thrown into the mix given the Pilgrims’ current availability issues, and could have helped in their plight to pick up points between now and the end of the season.

The Tigers are one of a number of sides looking over their shoulders at the relegation places right now, and that move to keep the Devon outfit at arms’ length could have long-term benefits, with valuable points on the line before Hardie and Obafemi return to full fitness.

The two sides go head-to-head at the MKM Stadium next Tuesday night in what is shaping up to be a gargantuan tussle at the bottom of the division, with victory for either team having major consequences at the bottom of the table.

Given they are yet to win away from home all season, Argyle will be travelling in hope rather than expectation, with their January near-miss likely to be warming the bench in the opposing dugout to further rub salt into the wounds.