Port Vale Rumours – rounding up some of the names linked on the forum

The OVF forum is a hotbed of rumours at this time of the year and 2024 is no exception. We present a round-up of some of the names that have been linked with moves in or out of Port Vale FC.

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Dipo Akinyemi

The Valiants badly need to add a goal threat to their side and are in the market for forwards. Akinyemi has been a big hit at National League side York City scoring fifteen times this season. The striker has played for a number of non-league sides but has only a handful of League appearances during a spell with Stevenage. The 26 year-old reportedly cost York £300,000 at the start of the season (although the fee was not disclosed) so any Vale move could represent a hefty outlay for a player unproven in League football.

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Jordan Rhodes

The Valiants have already shown that they are prepared to go for the bigger names with the signing of Ronan Curtis but if they managed to nab Rhodes it would be a real coup. The veteran, now 34 years of age, is still a potent goal threat as he proved by scoring fifteen times in twenty appearances on loan at Blackpool last season. The targetman will be known to Darren Moore after they spent time at Huddersfield Town together and Rhodes is now a free agent following the expiry of his contract.

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Martin Kelly

This seems a strange one given the criticism Vale received for signing injury-prone players last season. After all, former Liverpool defender Kelly has played just six League games in three seasons. However, the 34 year-old offers a wealth of experience and an option at right-back. However, given that current Mitch Clark has himself had injury issues would having two injury-prone players in the same position really be a wise move?

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Ben Garrity

And let’s discuss one outgoing… Ben Garrity’s name is bound to come up after he finished top-scorer last season and was, according to most fans, the club’s player of the season. Several Vale supporters have noted Darrell Clarke’s appointment at Barnsley and remembered that Clarke made Garrity his first signing as Vale manager. As Clarke is now tasked with revamping Barnsley will he make a move for arguably Vale’s most important player?

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Other names

Sutton United striker Harry Smith has been discussed (mainly on the back of a website article suggesting Vale as a possible suitor). However, it does seem unlikely considering the forwards antics in front of Vale fans and liking for the South East. Another name was Oxford United’s Billy Bodin. There were others but we’ll leave it there for now…

What do you reckon? Post your comments (or indeed your rumours) at the bottom of the article.