Tom Cleverley drops triple Plymouth Argyle transfer hint | OneFootball

Tom Cleverley has revealed whether Plymouth Argyle want to sign Alex Mitchell, Wes Harding, and Owen Dale permanently

Plymouth Argyle face an uphill battle to clinch a League One play-off spot with just two games remaining, but boss Tom Cleverley has already looked ahead to the summer transfer window.

The Pilgrims were held to a 1-1 draw by Bradford City on Tuesday, leaving them four points adrift of the top six ahead of Saturday's clash with Port Vale.

Argyle are more than capable of beating an already relegated Vale outfit on 25 April, but their play-off destiny is not in their own hands.

If Plymouth still have something to play for on the last day of the campaign, though, the fixture list has favoured them, as they travel to rock-bottom Northampton Town.

Tom Cleverley reveals whether Plymouth Argyle want to sign Alex Mitchell, Wes Harding, and Owen Dale permanently

Cleverley's men have endured a roller coaster of a season, as they had relegation worries earlier in the campaign, but their resurgent form since the turn of the year has seen them eye a play-off spot.

Meanwhile, Owen Dale and Alex Mitchell, who joined Argyle on loan from Oxford United and Charlton Athletic, respectively, last summer, have both played key roles this term.

Defender Wes Harding subsequently moved to the Pilgrims on loan from Millwall in the winter transfer window and has gone on to perform well in 13 League One appearances.

Regardless of whether the Devon outfit land a play-off finish, which would allow them to make an instant Championship return, Cleverley will soon turn his attention to his summer transfer activity.

Discussing whether he wants to sign Dale, Mitchell, and Harding permanently, the former Watford boss told Plymouth Live: "Three real key parts of the team and I will be having conversations to hopefully see a little bit more of them.

"Mitch is going to have a lot of interest. I don't know what Charlton's plans are with him. That's probably one for the off-season, with both clubs really fighting for end-of-season goals.

"Yeah, Mitch will have a lot of interest in the summer. I think if he is available, then we have put our hat in the ring in terms of how much he has enjoyed it, what a key figure he is, how connected he is to the supporters.

"Those things all matter, as well as the key thing, which is the money we can offer. "

Cleverley continued: "Wes Harding in January, when his situation at Millwall was what it was, he couldn't have wanted to play for this football club more, and we want as many guys like that as possible.

"So, yes, we have got the here and now to focus on, but Wes and Owen will be players that we will be interested in seeing more of."

All three players Cleverley has discussed have been valuable assets for Plymouth this term, while Mitchell recently proved his class by scoring in last Saturday's 3-1 triumph at Wimbledon.

Alex Mitchell, Owen Dale, and Wes Harding transfers could give Tom Cleverley clarity in potentially challenging window

Plymouth will be unable to make decisive transfer calls until they know whether they are competing in the Championship or in League One next season.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that loan stars Mitchell and Harding have added valuable solidity to Cleverley's backline, but it is Argyle's frontline that has been their most impressive asset this season.

Lorent Tolaj has established himself as one of the best strikers in League One by notching 17 goals in the third tier, while Bim Pepple has scored 14 league goals.

However, the attacking duo's efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Celtic are interested in Tolaj and Pepple, as reported by the Daily Mail in February.

Even if Cleverley's men clinch promotion to the Championship, they may be unable to hold off transfer advances from Celtic, who could still win the Scottish Premiership title this term.

Losing one or both of Pepple or Tolaj would make the transfer window difficult for Plymouth, but signing Mitchell, Dale, and Harding permanently would give them some stability rather than more uncertainty.