Port Vale’s 2021 transfer window goals – it’s fairly obvious in terms of ins and outs
Port Vale will still be hoping to do business in the transfer window ahead of the 31st August deadline. The club’s plans look fairly obvious…
Outgoing
The Valiants will clearly be keen to remove their three transfer-listed players – Theo Robinson, Scot Burgess and Danny Whitehead from their books. Robinson has been linked with Colchester United but there’s been few links with the other two players. However, they leave – whether permanently or on loan, any moves out of the club will be welcome.
Any other moves out of the club are likely to be loans of fringe players. One possibility could be Eden Bailey, highly rated by the club and on the fringes of the first-team despite his tender years. A spell with regular starts at a high level non-league club could be a valuable learning lesson. Several other youth teamers could also be loaned out to aid their development.
Incoming
Until the Stevenage game, Darrell Clarke had been fairly clear about his targets. Clarke wanted a winger and a striker – and after the addition of Dennis Politic it seemed like just the forward is outstanding. The Vale manager had said: “It is the forward area I will be looking to build on. I would like a left-footed winger and a centre forward.”
However, a long-term injury to Leon Legge may mean that, in addition to that striker, the manager looks to bring in another central defender to cover for the veteran who is out for three months. The Valiants do seem to have reasonable cover at the back – Nathan Smith, Aaron Martin, Ryan Johnson, Dan Jones, Lewis Cass and even Brad Walker can all play there – so Clarke could opt to just stick with a striker if the right defender isn’t available.
His striker targets may also hinge on if the likes of Theo Robinson can be moved on. The extra wages released by Robinson’s exit could change Clarke’s focus, while he may have to cut his cloth accordingly if Robinson remains.
Who do you think the Valiants should target?
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