‘Huge super strength’: Exciting Plymouth Argyle verdict over reported Portsmouth and Rangers target Bim Pepple
Pompey, Rangers, Norwich City, Watford and Lincoln City have all been linked with Plymouth Argyle striker Aribim Pepple this week.
Pompey have been given a glowing reference over reported transfer target Aribim ‘Bim’ Pepple.
The Daily Mail reported this week that John Mousinho’s men are believed to be eyeing the 23-year-old alongside Norwich City, Watford and Lincoln City, while Scottish outfit Rangers and other European and MLS sides are also supposedly keen.
Pepple’s stock is firmly on the rise after an outstanding campaign at Home Park, which saw him net 18 goals in 41 outings in all competitions.
Despite a slow start to his Argyle career following his switch from Luton Town last summer, the Canada international went on to net 16 goals in 24 appearances during the second half of the campaign as Tom Cleverley’s men staged a late play-off push.
The powerful front man formed an outstanding partnership with fellow striker Lorent Tolaj, who netted 22 goals during the season, following his £1.1m switch from Port Vale 12-months ago.
The Swiss forward is also attracting strong interest higher up the football pyramid as a host of Championship clubs keep tabs on his current situation.
Exciting Plymouth Argyle verdict over reported Pompey target Bim Pepple
Cleverley, however, believes reported Pompey target Pepple ‘trumps’ his fellow attacking target in a number of areas after his brilliant campaign in front of goal.
And the Argyle head coach has praised the 23-year-old’s impressive rise, after he initially struggled to make the match-day squad at the start of the season.
Speaking last month, Cleverley said: ‘It was an outstanding performance, which would question why I went for Bim to come off when he's on a hat-trick.
‘Physically, in terms of aerobic fitness, Tolly probably just edges it and could keep going for 90 minutes with just one up top. Bim in other areas trumps Tolly.
‘The pair of them, to be such a threat when we're down to 10 men is credit to the both of them, but Bim's finishing off both feet is a huge super strength of his.
‘He's put so much work into getting to this stage, he deserves every bit of success he's getting.
‘We're lucky to have two, plus Owen Oseni who's got the double figures himself, so three strikers that are such goal threats.
‘His character, his determination to turn his season into a successful one, and then we're here to facilitate that improvement as well.’
Who is reported Pompey target Bim Pepple?
Pepple rose through the ranks at Grimsby Town before making the move to Luton Town in 2022.
The striker failed to register a first-team outing during his three-year stay at Kenilworth Road, but did enjoy successful loan stints with Southend United and Chesterfield.
A move to Home Park followed in July following Plymouth’s Championship relegation in a deal believed to be worth up to £650,000.
Despite a slow start in Devon, Pepple netted 18 goals in all competitions and is braced for strong interest in his services with two years still to run on his current terms.
Cleverley revealed earlier in the campaign that a release clause was inserted in his deal, although that figure is yet to be disclosed.