Argyle working on Lorent Tolaj replacement 'as quick as possible'

The Pilgrims' boss admitted it would not be easy to replace the goals and assists of Tolaj, who completed a £4 million-plus transfer to Championship club Bristol City at the start of last week.

He stated a 'lot of hard work' was going into signing someone to wear the vacant number nine shirt and it would be done 'as quick as possible'.

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Cleverley indicated after the 1-0 pre-season win at Truro City on Saturday that strikers at clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two were being considered by Argyle, as well as from overseas.

On how his squad was shaping up ahead of the new season, Cleverley said: "Very pleased. We have got to replace 21 goals and eight assists, which isn't easy, but the spine of the team looks strong.

"That gives you a platform of being hard to beat, which is a big thing to have at these levels. We know the key thing is a bit more creativity, and the goals we have lost with Tolly going needs replacing, and there is a lot of hard work going into that.

"I'm not one that has a specific way of doing that. Is it one from abroad? Is it trying to develop one from lower leagues? Is it one in the Championship and maybe not playing at that level?

"We will get the very best striker there is out there to replace those goals and the club are on board with that. We are working hard to make sure that happens as quick as possible because we want to click as soon as possible."

Argyle currently have Owen Oseni and Bim Pepple, who has been the subject of transfer speculation this summer, as the only two strikers in their squad, which adds to the pressing need for another one to be brought in.

Cleverley said: "Lower levels, higher levels, our level, abroad - there are one or two options in each category. There are discussions taking place and I hope to give you a little bit more next week."

He added: "If you go off last season, we had a terrible run before Tolly arrived at the club but did we wait to get the right one? It's a balancing act.

"Hopefully you get the right one before the start of the season, perfect, and Derek (Adams, director of football) and David (Fox, head of football operations) are good enough at their jobs to make that happen."

Tolaj opened his goalscoring account for his new club when he netted twice as a substitute in Bristol City's 3-1 pre-season win away to Swindon Town on Saturday.

On any other signings Argyle could look to make, Cleverley said: "There is potential that a wide midfielder might come to the club. Obviously, not a cert, the striker will be a cert."

After a major turnover of Argyle's squad following relegation from the Championship in 2025, there has not been anywhere near as much activity this summer.

Six new recruits have been brought in so far - Murphy Cooper, James Storer, Alex Hartridge, Wes Harding, Alex Mitchell and Harvey White - and things are much more settled than they were at the same stage in 2025.

Cleverley said: "I think you can see that by the defensive stability, the structure of the team, the consistency. We want to try and add a bit more creativity and goals but it's a good place to be. I'm very calm, and it's credit to Derek and David."

The Argyle head coach indicated one or two of the club's younger players could be loaned out to gain first team experience.

Cleverley said: "I want to be as consistent as possible with the team. I would expect there may be a couple of the young guys going on loan.

"Unless there is any interest in our players, which there hasn't been as of yet, then I'm happy to keep the squad we have got."

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