Plymouth Argyle trigger £1.2m release clause for Port Vale star Lorent Tolaj | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle have triggered the release clause of Port Vale forward Lorent Tolaj.

Plymouth Argyle have triggered Port Vale striker Lorent Tolaj's £1.2m release clause, as the Pilgrims hone in on their new number nine to replace Ryan Hardie.

Everyone knows the story of Plymouth's multiple setbacks this transfer window in their pursuit of a new star striker, as they recently missed out on both Rumarn Burrell and Dale Taylor to Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool respectively.

Having lost all four of their opening four League One matches, patience was running thin for the Green Army, as there was still no sign of a striker coming through the door at Home Park.

Or that was the case until Friday morning, as Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has revealed that Argyle have triggered the £1.2m release clause of Port Vale striker Tolaj.

The 23-year-old scored 14 goals and notched eight assists in League Two last season, and could now be set to join the Devon-based side for a hefty fee, as they look to make up ground following a slow start to the new campaign.

Plymouth Argyle trigger Lorent Tolaj's Port Vale release clause

It seems like the quest for a new number nine is finally drawing to a close for Plymouth, and the man who could be on his way to Home Park is certainly one that the Green Army can get excited about.

Former Brighton and Hove Albion prospect Tolaj first announced himself in the National League with Aldershot Town, where he netted 19 goals, securing himself a move to League Two outfit Port Vale.

14 goals, eight assists and a promotion later, the Swiss striker is reportedly closing in on a move to Plymouth, after speculation arose on social media that the Greens were interested in signing him.

This speculation was confirmed when Sky Sports reporter Joseph said via X on Friday morning that the Pilgrims had activated the £1.2m release clause in Tolaj's contract, which will end their hunt for a new number nine.

It's been a painful start to the season for the Green Army, who've had to endure four successive league defeats, and constant transfer setbacks which prevented the Pilgrims from achieving the results that they desired in their opening matches.

However, after the defensive gaps were plugged this week with the signings of Alex Mitchell and Mathias Ross, pieces of the jigsaw have started to be put in place by Tom Cleverley, who had to endure a difficult transfer window thus far.

Now with just the striker to bring his blueprint together, the latest update will come as a massively positive piece of news for the Plymouth faithful, who are getting an exciting new number nine in Tolaj, who has the potential to make it far in the English game.

Whilst the pain of recent weeks has felt like it will never end, the news regarding Tolaj is yet another exciting boost for the Green Army, who've seen their club finally start to plug the gaps in their squad that they desperately needed to fill.