Sides from both League One and League Two are on red alert to poach Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards.
The veteran defender returned to a regular starting place in the Pilgrims squad following their relegation from the Championship, with new boss Tom Cleverley leaning on the 35-year-old for 41 games across all competitions.
Stalemate Creates Transfer War
However, the Argyle captain’s future is in the air this summer with his contract currently set to expire next month. It was reported last month that the Devon club had tabled a new agreement for the former Walsall man to sign, with Cleverley stating that he would be delighted to have Edwards return for another season.
Now, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, negotiations have slowed between club and player, which has allowed interest to come from sides in both League One and Two if a deal is not reached.
Edwards has played just once in the fourth tier across his professional career during his debut season at Home Park, and has since assisted Plymouth to two promotions, one of which was while he was captain under Steven Schumacher as they reached the Championship.
He has previously stated that he would love to remain in Devon, telling Plymouth Live at the start of the month:
“It’s the only place I want to be. It’s a fantastic football club, I have got an amazing relationship with the fans and the club.
“Hopefully in the next few days we will see the answer to that. There is always little bits and bobs, and things that go on, but it’s my club, I love playing here, I love the relationship I have got with everyone.
“There is no big conversations to be had. It has maybe taken longer than expected or everyone had imagined but for me captaining this club is something I’m immensely proud to do.
“It still makes me so happy walking out with the boys, it’s a privilege to be captain of this football club. Let’s just hope it continues and we can go one step further next year.”
Is A Split The Best Option?
As much as both Joe Edwards and Tom Cleverley want to keep their association together going into next season, questions do arise of whether keeping the 35-year-old around is the correct decision.
By no means is he past his best, putting in a very admirable performance over the season, and his leadership position helped spur Plymouth Argyle onto an unlikely comeback after a torrid start to the campaign.
Regardless of what happens in these negotiations, right-back has to be a focus in Argyle’s transfer dealings this summer, which may leave Edwards as a fringe player going forward, depending on what new faces come in at Home Park.
A new signing, combined with the flexibility of Matthew Sorinola on both sides of the defence, then perhaps allowing Edwards to go elsewhere is the best course of action for both parties.
Who Should Sign Joe Edwards?
At 35, investing in an older player may put some sides off, but as seen with other players over the course of the season, these veteran players can become game changers for a team’s fortunes, like it was for Bristol Rovers and their loan move for Richie Smallwood.
The Gas could be a good destination, having released Tom Lockyer in their retained list and other defenders listed for transfer, which may mean that Edwards’ versatility could of great use to Steve Evans as he continues a rebuild at the Memorial Stadium.
A club which could also use his services is Argyle’s relegated Devon rivals in Exeter City, with their backline creaking over the final stretch of the season. No verdict has been reached over the fate of their own captain in Pierce Sweeney, meaning Edwards could come in as a new leadership figure in their quest for promotion back to League One.
While not explicitly linked in the report, perhaps a reunion with a former side could be appealing, and a side like Yeovil Town may want to recruit him if they can convince him to head into non-league, with the Glovers deploying some makeshift options at full back towards the latter end of the season.
