Michael Baidoo set for Plymouth Argyle return? Tom Cleverley drops new transfer update | OneFootball

Tom Cleverley has revealed whether Michael Baidoo is part of Plymouth Argyle's plans following his loan spell in Qatar

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley has opened up on Michael Baidoo's future with the Home Park club following his loan spell with Qatar Stars League outfit Umm Salal.

Baidoo joined the Pilgrims from Swedish side Elfsborg in January 2025 in a then-club-record £1.5 million deal, having been courted by the Devon outfit for some time and went on to make 11 Championship appearances.

However, the attacking midfielder failed to make a goal contribution last season and was loaned out to Umm Salal last summer following the Green Army's relegation to League One.

Plymouth missed out on the third-tier play-offs by two points this term, despite beating Northampton Town 3-2 on the final day of the season, and Cleverley is now making transfer plans to help bolster next campaign's promotion credentials.

Tom Cleverley and Michael Baidoo on the same page regarding Plymouth Argyle future

The Pilgrims are set to witness key changes in the transfer market this summer, while Millwall are among the Championship clubs interested in Lorent Tolaj, as reported by Football Insider.

Tolaj has been a class act for Argyle this term, notching 18 goals and eight assists in 33 League One appearances.

The Devon outfit's failure to qualify for the play-offs will make it difficult for them to retain the talented striker's services, but that is not the only issue Cleverley must consider this summer.

Speaking to Plymouth Live about whether Baidoo will play for his side next season, the Argyle boss revealed: "I think it's going to be unlikely. I don't think there is much appetite from the player to return.

"He's not a player we know too much about, obviously. We have watched clips. It's a difficult one to see what his best position is, really. I think I would have to see him in the flesh. How suited he would be to League One, I'm also not sure.

"I'm sure he's a great guy. He was signed for a good amount of money, so he had exciting potential. It has not worked out for one reason or another.

"I wish him all the best, but I don't think there is much appetite for him to play in League One for Argyle."

As per Plymouth Live, the Home Park side paid over £1million to sign Baidoo, while he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025.

Argyle had hoped that the Ghana international would make a big impact for them, as he scored 15 goals and registered seven assists across all competitions for Elfsborg in their 2024 campaign.

However, the 26-year-old failed to adjust to the Championship and has gone on to score just one goal in 14 Qatar Stars League appearances while on loan with Umm Salal.

Plymouth will likely struggle to recoup Michael Baidoo transfer fee

Argyle paid a relatively handsome seven-figure sum for Baidoo's services in January 2025, but he has subsequently failed to adjust to the English game, before also struggling in Qatar.

Furthermore, as Cleverley alluded to, the midfielder arrived at Home Park before the former Watford boss, who didn't see much of the former Elfsborg man before his move to the Middle East.

The Plymouth boss has made it clear that Baidoo doesn't have a future in Devon, but his performances in both the Championship and in Qatar show that Argyle may struggle to recoup the fee they paid for the Ghana international, should they choose to sell him this summer.

Consequently, another loan move could be on the cards for the 26-year-old, who must find a way to reignite his career.