Striker bound to bag 'a lot of goals' sent Celtic, Derby and Sheffield Utd transfer links verdict amid rumours
A former Manchester United and Everton star has had his say on his sought after striker
Celtic-linked striker Lorent Tolaj is attracting interest from here, there and everywhere, which isn’t a surprise to his Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverly.
The Swiss marksman bagged 22 goals in EFL League One last season for Argyle, who just missed out on the play-offs despite a final day 3-2 victory over Northampton Town, in another fixture Tolaj got on the scoresheet. His goals have seen him attract interest from Celtic, Sheffield United and Derby County among others. Former Ross County boss Derek Adams is now the Director of Football at Home Park and played a huge role in signing Tolaj in the summer from Port Vale along with Cleverly.
The manager isn’t ‘surprised’ that there is several potential suitors for Tolaj, who they signed on a four year deal for a reported deal worth up to £1m in August. Recently relegated Leicester City are also looking at the striker, as they plan on throwing the kitchen sink at League One next season to regain their position in the second tier. With Celtic losing three loanee strikers Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka in the summer, the club are looking to bolster up their options at the top end of the pitch.
Cleverly ‘not surprised’ of Celtic interest for Tolaj
After their win at Northampton, the Plymouth boss said: "Tolly's (Tolaj) a very good player, but if there was any progressed interest, I'd expect mine or Derek Adams' (director of football) phone to be going, whether that was to touch base or ask for a reference. That's not the case so far. Tolly's a very good player, I'm not surprised there's interest, but mine or Derek's phone's not gone yet."
"Football transfers always have three things, there's a buying club, there's a selling club and there's a price. So sometimes everything for all parties works, and we will only sell Lorent if that is the case with us. Obviously we will plan a with and a without, but there has to be the right interest, the club for Tolly, and if there's not then he'll score a lot of goals for us next season and hopefully help us win promotion."
Leicester City join race for Tolaj after relegation
The Foxes have now joined the Hoops in the race for Tolaj, who could be going anywhere beyond the summer. Transfer journalist Alan Nixon confirmed via Patreon: “Leicester City will have £10 million to sign on new players - and are already looking to spend. The Foxes have slumped to League One but their spies and scouts have already been told there is a budget to go for quick deals.
“And that will be reassessed over the summer when some players are set to leave and the payroll comes down. Lorent Tolaj at Plymouth is among their leading candidates. Leicester will start speaking to a small group of candidates for the managerial job this week.”