Exclusive:Portsmouth considering Plymouth striker Bim Pepple as conditions for transfer are laid out
Plymouth striker Bim Pepple retains the interest of Pompey despite making a move for UD Almeria forward Marko Milovanovic
Pompey are weighing up a move for Plymouth Argyle striker Bim Pepple.
That’s despite negotiations for UD Almeria centre-forward Marko Milovanovic continuing as the Blues look to seal a deal for the 22-year-old Serbia frontman.
Pepple has been on the Fratton Park outfit’s radar for some time after the 23-year-old bagged 18 goals in all competitions for the Pilgrims last season.
A desire to improve a forward department that produced just five goals between Colby Bishop, Makenzie Kirk and Thomas Waddingham last term has seen the Blues draw up an extensive list of potential striker options.
Former Luton man Pepple, who moved to Home Park last summer for around £250,000, remains on that roster.
Now Pompey are mulling over whether to make their admiration for the Canadian official, following exploratory talks that have given them an indication of it would take to lure the League One player away from Plymouth.
Pilgrims boss Tom Cleverly, who guided Argyle to an 18th-placed finish in the third tier last season, is under no pressure to sell one of his prized assets.
However, it’s understood the player has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave for a certain seven-figure price. This would guarantee the Pilgrims a healthy return on their initial investment and allow them to reinvest in their squad ahead of another season in League One.
Pepple himself has played down talk of a potential move away from Home Park after just 12 months in Devon. Yet it’s our understanding he would like to make the step up to the Championship to enhance his hopes of representing Canada on the international stage.
His goalscoring exploits over the second half of last season saw him rewarded with a call-up to Jesse Marsch’s squad in March. However, Pepple didn’t make the 26-man Canada squad that was named for the World Cup Finals.
Pompey aren’t the only Championship side keen to the forward, with other clubs in the division making their admiration for the player known. Clubs from abroad have also been sniffing around the former Calvary ace.
To free up space in the Blues’ forward department, former St Johnstone striker Kirk is expected to head out on loan this season to gain more first-team experience.