Plymouth Argyle tipped for transfer disappointment - claim made on Leeds United demands | OneFootball

Darko Gyabi impressed for the Greens last season, it would be a surprise to see him return to the club in League One

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...

Leeds United midfielder Darko Gyabi has been predicted to move on loan to a Championship club again next season, rather than return to League One-bound Plymouth Argyle, after spending the majority of the last 18 months plying his trade at Home Park.

Argyle succumbed to relegation from the second-tier on the final day of the season earlier this month, and are now preparing for life back in League One with numerous incomings and outgoings likely this summer.

Gyabi is an enforced exit, as he returns to parent club Leeds, but it certainly seems likely that he will depart Elland Road on loan once again in the coming months with the Whites set to spend big to try and stay in the Premier League after achieving promotion.

Many Greens supporters would no doubt love to see the 21-year-old midfielder return to Home Park, but he displayed clear Championship credentials last season, and so a move back to the Devon club does seem unlikely.

Argyle fan pundit issues 'realistic' Darko Gyabi summer return verdict

Gyabi first joined Plymouth in January 2024 on a loan deal from Leeds until the end of the campaign. He was only able to make 10 appearances for the club before he suffered a season-ending injury, however, and so his spell was cut short in March as he returned to Elland Road.

The London-born midfield man clearly caught the eye in his short time at the club, and so returned to Argyle on a season-long loan last July, with the hope that he could complete a full term and impress over a longer period of time in the second-tier.

He featured 48 times in all competitions across the campaign, registering one goal and two assists while playing in defensive, central and attacking midfield at different points of the season. Gyabi was unable to help keep the Pilgrims in the Championship, though, and so now will return to Leeds with the next step in his career currently unclear.

FLW's Plymouth fan pundit, Chris, was impressed by Gyabi's performances in green and white throughout his time at the club, and so believes that he will be a target for second-tier sides this summer, with a return to Home Park mooted as unlikely as a result.

"After two loan spells in the Championship down here in Plymouth, Darko Gyabi slowly became a fan-favourite amongst many," Chris told FLW.

"Overall, during the course of the last season just gone, he was one of the more stable players that played regularly in central midfield, often partnering with Adam Randell.

"There were times where he showed moments of magic, as well as points where he struggled a little bit with his form.

"However, many of the fans stuck by him, and he proved to be a worthy asset in our attempts to stay in the Championship.

"The first season he was on loan to us and unfortunately, he was plagued by injury and so didn’t make too much of an impact. It seemed he was keen to return to finish his business with Argyle.

"Now that Leeds United have been promoted to the Premier League, there is potential for him to either have another loan move to another Championship club, or, more likely, a permanent transfer away from Leeds.

"They may want to focus on looking at Premier League quality players in order to aid their opportunities in the Premier League.

"With that, there is a potential and many rumours suggesting that Argyle will put in a significant bid to secure the services of Darko Gyabi.

"However, in realistic terms, I don’t believe that this will happen. Gyabi has shown he has Championship ability, and I believe he will want to continue his career as such.

"With that, also the transfer fee that Leeds United would demand would likely be significantly higher than what we would be able to pay.

"I believe that he will secure a place in the Championship with another club. However, it would be great to see him back playing in green once more."

Gyabi loved his time at Plymouth - a summer return still feels unlikely

Gyabi spent close to 18 months at Argyle across his two spells at the club, and he was able to stay relatively consistent in the middle of the park despite their largely poor overall form and the fact he played under three different managers in Ian Foster, Wayne Rooney and Miron Muslic.

Despite it being a pretty turbulent time for the club, the 21-year-old admitted last month that he had loved his time with the Greens, which may well have got supporters' hopes up that he will look to complete a third loan spell at Home Park next season.

"I'm probably going to think about it (his time at Argyle) more when the season is done, when we haven't got the games to focus on, but it has been really good. I have really enjoyed it," he told PlymouthLive.

"I think Plymouth Argyle has been amazing for me personally. Being around the club I feel like there is a real sense of family, a real close together family.

"The players, the staff, and everyone coming together, day in day out, being around each and every person when things are going well or aren't going well, I feel like there is always a sense of positivity and energy that I have really enjoyed.

"It has helped me develop as a young person, not just on the pitch but off the pitch. I think there are so many good things going on at this football club, and God willing it continues, because I think there is an amazing feeling around this place."

Gyabi clearly holds Argyle close to his heart for the experience and knowledge he has gained in his time at the club, especially since it was his first real foray into senior football after only playing five games for Leeds prior to his first loan spell.

With that said, emotions often have to be taken out of big decisions like the ones that face both the Whites and Gyabi this summer. At this stage of his career, and given his current ability and potential, it only makes sense for him to continue playing in the Championship for 2025/26.