Former Portsmouth and Oxford United man in limbo after reported Plymouth Argyle transfer setback
Former Pompey, Crewe Alexandra, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic winger Owen Dale is in limbo following his release by Oxford United this summer.
Former Pompey winger Owen Dale has reportedly faced a huge setback in his search for a new club this summer.
The 27-year-old was released by Oxford United following the campaign’s climax, bringing an end to a frustrating two-and-a-half-year stay at the Kassam Stadium.
Despite playing a key role in the U’s promotion from League One during the 2023-24 season, appearances and regular minutes dried up in the Championship.
In fact, Dale’s last outing for Oxford came in December 2024 having fallen out of favour with former boss Gary Rowett, who replaced Des Buckingham.
The forward was subsequently given the green light to depart on loan that January before Rowett once again sanctioned a departure on a temporary basis last summer.
A season-long loan stint at Plymouth Argyle followed for the Crewe Alexandra academy graduate, who scored one goal and collected five assists in 32 outings for Tom Cleverley's eighth-placed side.
Plymouth Argyle’s pursuit of Owen Dale
Indeed, Argyle, who are braced for a busy transfer window amid interest in a number of key personnel, were looking to secure the forward on a permanent basis this summer having been available on a free transfer.
But a return to Home Park has fallen through, according to reports, with Dale suffering a major blow in his search for a new home.
It is believed talks have broken down with the League One outfit, leaving the former Pompey man in limbo.
Reports of a breakdown in negotiations will no doubt come as a blow for Cleverley, who signalled his intent in re-signing loanee’s Dale, Alex Mitchell and Wes Harding this summer.
Speaking to Plymouth Live in April, the head coach said: ‘Three real key parts of the team and I will be having conversations to hopefully see a little bit more of them.’
Owen Dale’s Pompey loan spell
After falling out of favour with Blackpool, Dale made the move to Fratton Park in August 2022 as Danny Cowley looked to bolster his attacking ranks.
The 27-year-old penned a season-long deal at Fratton Park and began life on the south coast on a high, notching up one goal and four assists in his first 13 matches.
But that’s as good as it got for the winger, who would go on to appear on the scoresheet just once and provided one further assist in the following 30 league outings.
Although new boss John Mousinho signalled his initial intent at landing Dale on a permanent basis that summer, the forward would return to Blackpool before joining Oxford United for an undisclosed fee in January 2024.
Spells with Wigan and Plymouth have followed for the ex-Crewe man, who continues his search for a new club.