Bale rumours and big-name departures

It has definitely not been a quiet summer at Plymouth Argyle and the news reels were spinning with extra speed after a link to former Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale.

Just as new Argyle Head Coach Tom Cleverley was getting his feet under the Pilgrim desk, reports emerged that Bale was part of a consortium looking to invest in the Home Park club.

Those reports have since shifted to Bale being involved in a bid to take control of Cardiff City, a move that would make more sense, given the Bluebirds are his hometown club.

For Argyle, however, it continues the theme of chairman Simon Hallett looking for added investment to help support the superb foundations he has laid down at Home Park.

While relegation from the Championship was a bitter pill, the Pilgrims have been transformed under Hallett’s leadership and Cleverley will be given plenty of resources for a proper assault on League One.

The signing of exciting forward Xavier Amaechi was the latest new face through the Green door but it has also been a week of saying farewell to a pair of club stalwarts, with striker Ryan Hardie moving to Wrexham and homegrown midfielder Adam Randell joining Bristol City.