Plymouh Argyle suffer Rumarn Burrell, QPR blow - 3 alternatives must be considered ASAP | OneFootball

3 alternatives Plymouth Argyle must consider after missing out on Rumarn Burrell to Queens Park Rangers.

Plymouth Argyle have missed out on top transfer target Rumarn Burrell, which sent the Devon-based side back to square one in their pursuit of a new number nine before the start of the season on Saturday.

Ryan Hardie left new boss Tom Cleverley with a huge hole in the squad to fill after his departure for newly-promoted Championship outfit Wrexham, but the 35-year-old is yet to land his man.

The Pilgrims were confident in landing the signing of Burton Albion's Burrell, which was exclusively revealed by Football League World in early July, but the saga dragged on with no indication that a deal was near completion.

Further reports emerged that Argyle had lodged a bid in the region of £1m, but all hope of signing the 24-year-old was squashed when he was revealed as a Queens Park Rangers player over the weekend.

With Plymouth now back to the drawing board in the hunt for a new number nine, FLW decided to look at three Burrell alternatives Cleverley's side should explore this summer.

Dale Taylor

Nottingham Forest

The obvious candidate for the new number nine at Home Park is Dale Taylor, who is reportedly already of interest to Plymouth, who are exploring a permanent deal for the Nottingham Forest striker along with Blackpool.

The 21-year-old has a plethora of League One experience, having enjoyed loan spells in the division with Burton, Wycombe Wanderers, and most notably Wigan Athletic, where he was named the club's Player of the Season last term.

Whilst his services may be expensive to secure, this is exactly the marquee signing that Cleverley will be looking for. The Northern Irishman scored 11 goals and assisted a further seven in the third tier last season, and will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence ahead of 2025/26.

Taylor is an ideal replacement for Hardie, as he's proven to be a striker that not only knows where the net is, but is also able to drop deeper and get involved with link-up play, which is exactly what the departed Scotsman brought to the show.

Gassan Ahadme

Charlton Athletic

One man likely to be available for transfer is Charlton Athletic striker Gassan Ahadme, who has already been linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers this summer, following the Addicks' promotion to the second tier.

The 24-year-old joined Nathan Jones' side last summer, but struggled for minutes in the league, playing just 19 times and scoring once. Whilst this record may not impress the Green Army, there is certainly a solid player there.

Ahadme enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Cambridge United in 2023/24, netting 11 goals in 29 League One outings, and fits the profile that could suit Cleverley's system very well.

His useful aerial prowess and ability to drop deeper and link up play again make him comparable to Hardie, and if he's able to rediscover the goalscoring form he showed at Cambridge, then signing Ahadme could represent a shrewd piece of business.

Ali Al-Hamadi

Ipswich Town

It's extremely difficult to pinpoint what level of the EFL is where Ali Al-Hamadi is most suited to, as his career path has seen him tested in all four of the top English divisions.

Whilst his stint in League One with Wycombe was far from memorable, the Iraq international earned his big-money move to Ipswich Town after a prolific year with AFC Wimbledon in League Two, but has since failed to replicate that form at Portman Road or Stoke City.

It seems like a loan move to the third tier could be a great option for the 23-year-old, and a move to Plymouth would give him a chance to become the main man at a club once again, which proved to be a success before.

His pace and agility coupled with good strength make him the ideal player for Cleverley's system, as he can be a relentless headache for defenders when pressing. His eye for goal and ability to link the midfield to the attacking line is another key attribute that could make Al-Hamadi the perfect fit for Argyle.