Port Vale journalist: new striker decision expected on Friday
A leading Port Vale journalist says that Port Vale are expecting a decision from their number one striking target on Friday.
After releasing forwards Jordan Archer and allowing Richie Bennett to leave, the Valiants are looking for a fourth striker to join their squad and have been playing a waiting game as they expect excessive wage demands to go down. There has been much speculation on social media on the identity of the fourth striker.
Of the Port Vale current squad: Mark Cullen has had some serious injuries during his career while veteran Tom Pope faces a six match suspension which means that the side could be left with just the inexperienced Devante Rodney as their only central forward option when the season begins. If another experienced striker could be signed then it could boost the club’s hopes of pushing into the promotion picture in the 2020-21 season.
This week, Vale manager John Askey told the local media that he was in talks with a potential target and that the waiting game was working. He commented: “Now we are getting closer to the season, there seems to be one or two who are more accessible, not too far out of our reach, where there were probably a month or two ago.”
Now BBC Radio Stoke’s match commentator Phil Bowers has issued an update on the transfer chase via Twitter:
Spoken to #PVFC manager John Askey this morning. He's expecting a definitive answer from a player he's looking to sign today. I understand Vale and another League Two club are both interested. Askey says he has other potential targets in mind if the player goes elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/5CNw1GgSaq
— Phil Bowers (@PhilJBowers) August 21, 2020
Port Vale fans will be hoping that the mystery man signs and Port Vale are handed another boost ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Who's going where...
A thorough update of Port Vale signings and contract updates over the summer of 2020.
Port Vale Signings
July 6th 2020: John Askey says club are set to sign a new striker
July 7th 2020: Port Vale sign Devante Rodney on a three year contract
July 16th 2020: Port Vale sign Zak Mills on a one year deal
Aug 6th 2020: Port Vale sign Danny Whitehead on a two year deal
Aug 21st 2020: John Askey confirms talks with striker Nicky Maynard