Port Vale January 2021 targets – three thoughts on the transfer window

Port Vale January 2021 targets: Rob Fielding looks at who could be leaving, what positions need strengthening and who could be joining…

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Port Vale January 2021 targets

Who can the club ship out?

It’s fairly clear who three of the names of the players that the club intend to exit Vale Park in January. One, Mitch Clark, is certain to leave after John Askey confirmed he had already returned to Leicester City for “personal reasons.” It means Clark’s third spell at Vale Park ends on something of a low note. The other two that Askey hopes will attract the interest of other clubs are Theo Robinson and Harry McKirdy. With his scoring record, I would expect some interest in Robinson.

There could yet be more names to go too. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect Dan Trickett-Smith (pictured), who’s way out of first-team contention to perhaps be offered a settlement on the last few months of his contract. Vale need to move players on to free up room so if interest in Robinson and McKirdy is slow, it’s logical to let Trickett-Smith go to quickly free up a space in the squad.

Where do Vale need to strengthen?

If players go what positions are the highest priority? Well, the goalkeeping positions seem fine as does the wide positions. James Gibbons’ return will strengthen the right-back slot but arguably Vale could strengthen nearly everywhere else. In the longer term there’s a clear need to look for long-term replacements for the spine of Scott Brown, Leon Legge, Luke Joyce and Tom Pope but that may have to wait until the summer. So as for the January window – I expect a centre-half, a central midfielder and (in particular) a central striker are near the top of the list. It’s tricky to bring in permanent signings in January so it could be that Vale have to look to the loan market for a couple of them.

Who will the club bring in?

I wouldn’t be surprised if the exit of one former loanee in Mitch Clark may be followed by the return of another. The Valiants are clearly still interested in Jake Taylor (pictured) and another loan or perhaps even a permanent move isn’t out of the question. If Theo Robinson leaves, Vale will look for another forward. It’s tricky to know who exactly the club have targeted but John Askey appears to have maintained a long-time interest in Kurtis Guthrie, out of favour at Bradford City. Perhaps another option would be a loan move for another apparent former target, Ollie Palmer, who has just one League start for Wimbledon since moving there.

Anyone else? Let me know via the comments form…

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