--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-28T13:52:44.424Z last_updated: 2026-07-19T05:30:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/plymouth-argyle/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGx5bW91dGhoZXJhbGQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcGx5bW91dGgtYXJneWxlLXJlYWR5LXJlYWN0LWxvcmVudC0xMTA2NjQ2Mg --- # Argyle ready to react as Lorent Tolaj transfer nears completion - **Source:** - **Published:** 19 Jul - **Club:** Plymouth Argyle - **Original URL:** https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/plymouth-argyle-ready-react-lorent-11066462 Cleverley confirmed a deal has been agreed for the Swiss striker with a Championship club, who he would not name, and that the move was 'in it's final stages'. As widely reported, though, it is Bristol City who Tolaj is set to sign for after they had a bid accepted for the 24-year-old, who excelled for the Pilgrims in League One last term. Read More: Argyle injury setback for Caleb Watts ahead of new season Read More: Tom Cleverley pleased with Argyle attacking players against Bath Tolaj played for Argyle in their first pre-season game at Plymouth Parkway last weekend but was not with the squad for the 3-0 win away to Bath City yesterday. Cleverley told Plymouth Live: "We have agreed a deal with a Championship club. It would be unfair for me to name that club until the deal is confirmed. "We are at medical and transfer sheet stage. We expect Lorent to move on, that's in it's final stages. I won't be commenting on which club. I'm sure we can appreciate how good of a player he has been for us when that does go through." The transfer fee for Tolaj is understood to be in excess of £4m, plus add-ons and a sell-on clause, and follows his £1.2m move to Argyle from Port Vale last August. During what has proved to be his only season with the Pilgrims he scored a total of 21 goals in all competitions, 17 of them in League One as they missed out on a play-off place by a couple of points. Cleverley said about the imminent departure of Tolaj: "It's always a mixture of emotions. We have lost a fantastic player. I think we as coaches - anyone outside the Champions' League - understand you are a selling club. "That's all the way up to Brentford, Brighton and teams who don't make Champions League football, you will lose your players to clubs that have the spending power. That's part of our job. "What's unfortunate is when a group of supporters, and staff and players, really connect with a player who does really well and that connection grows stronger, that player generally in the EFL does move on. "That's the unfortunate part of the game but we understand it. We wish him all the best," continued the Pilgrims' boss. "Individuals don't bring success to this football team, it's the group, it's the principles, it's the work ethic, it's the togetherness of the football club that will bring us success and we are ready to develop the next group of players." The move for Tolaj does not come as a surprise given the successful 2025/26 season he had with Argyle and the club have been preparing for the possibility. Cleverley said: "I think you know us well enough now to know that we are very organised in terms of contingency plans. We are ready to press the button on a couple of things. "That has been an ongoing process with myself, Paul (Berne, chief executive officer), David (Fox, head of football operations) and Derek (Adams, director or football). All those plans are in place for when the time comes, and that's with any of our players. "It's not just Lorent, that's with any of the players. We have succession plans and it's important we do that. "It's the beauty of having longevity and stability at a club, where that's not always changing, so let's take advantage of that and make sure we are ready to react." As for Tolaj's step up into the Championship, and the possibility of him eventually playing in the Premier League, Cleverley said: "A big test for him. I know what both levels are like. "In the Championship you come against a player who is a lot more physical, more speed. It's not as easy to sort of hustle and bustle your way. "You have to think smart, you have to improve your movements, you have to maybe live off two chances a game where it has been four, so you have to become more clinical. "Without speaking about him too much now, he has for sure got the desire, the work ethic, the professionalism to get as high as his ceiling is." You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE PlymouthLive has launched a Plymouth Argyle transfer news and top stories group on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we'll send all the latest straight to your phone. To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the PlymouthLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Click here to join our WhatsApp community.