Plymouth Argyle urged to win Nottingham Forest transfer race | OneFootball

FLW's Pilgrims fan pundit believes that Dale Taylor would be a great pickup for Tom Cleverley ahead of this weekend's League One opener

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

After Ryan Hardie departed Plymouth Argyle in favour of a Championship return with Wrexham, a new marquee striker signing is still required at Home Park.

Abrim Pepple and Owen Oseni arrived at the club this summer, but many Pilgrims fans feel that a new number nine is still missing ahead of August 2nd's League One opener against Barnsley.

Last week, it was revealed that Tom Cleverley's side joined the race for Northern Ireland international Dale Taylor, who was garnering interest from Blackpool too, following a Player of the Season-winning campaign on loan at Wigan Athletic last season.

The Nottingham Forest youngster will likely be available on loan once more this term, and FLW's Plymouth fan pundit, Luke Hodge, believes that he should be the main attacking option through the door this summer.

Plymouth Argyle fan pundit wants Dale Taylor, and names others on his transfer wishlist

Plymouth have had to set their sights on another striker this summer, after initial target Rumarn Burrell departed Burton Albion in favour of QPR last week.

"I think it's pretty obvious that we're looking for a striker," Hodge told Football League World.

"We recently missed out on Burrell and now rumours are swirling online that we're in for Nottingham Forest's Dale Taylor, whether that be permanently or on loan."

21-year-old Taylor enjoyed somewhat of a breakout year at Wigan last season, managing 11 goals and seven assists in a Latics side who scored a league-lowest 40 goals.

Before then, he'd struggled on loan at Wycombe Wanderers and Burton, scoring just five league goals in each loan spell.

"He's a decent player who did well on loan at Wigan last year," Hodge continued. "I believe it's us and Blackpool who are in for him.

"It's so important that, with less than a week to go before the season starts, we get a striker in. It's imperative.

"There are two or three names that Argyle have got their sights set on, but we desperately need one through the door as soon as possible."

On who else he'd like to see Plymouth sign this summer, Hodge said: "Personally, I'd love Macaulay Langstaff from Millwall, maybe on loan or a permanent signing. I think he'd score goals, I think he's hungry.

"But Taylor, if we get him in, get him over the line, at least then we'd be going into the new season with a recognised striker who can put the ball in the net."

A new number nine needs to be signed quickly at Plymouth Argyle

After the likes of Hardie and Mustapha Bundu departed for pastures new this summer, goal-getters had to be near the top of the transfer list at Home Park, so Argyle fans will be disappointed that a recognised number nine hasn't been brought in with less than a week to go before they start the 2025/26 League One campaign.

If Taylor is available, though, then Plymouth should move quickly for him. The 21-year-old wasn't just a solid goalscorer last season, but he also established himself as one of the more creative frontmen in the division, with his seven assists the joint-fourth most in the third tier.

A move to a more creative side next season in Plymouth, who haven't struggled for goals in recent seasons, no matter which division they find themselves in, would be a big move for him, as it would provide the foundations for an even better year in front of goal.

Cleverley and the rest of the staff at Home Park may have been biding their time for the right striker, and if Taylor is their man, they should waste no time in bringing him to Devon for the season.