Plymouth Argyle are facing competition from a fellow League One side in a battle to land an audacious late-window swoop for Huddersfield Town‘s Herbie Kane.
The midfielder has been stuck on the sidelines for the Terriers’ opening matches of the campaign in the wake of the signing of Archie Collins and Ethan Brierley, both arriving in Yorkshire on a permanent basis.
Pilgrims Eye Kane Reunion
Huddersfield could now, however, cash in on the 27-year-old with one year left on his deal, with Football League World reporting that Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley are in a head-to-head race to recruit the former Liverpool prospect.
Tom Cleverley’s side brought Kane in on loan for the second half of last season, playing eight times and scoring once as part of Argyle’s late-season surge, which brought them narrowly close to reaching the League One playoffs.
An injury curtailed his time at Home Park after tearing his hamstring, capping off a dogged campaign which also saw him hindered by a groin issue under Lee Grant at Huddersfield.
Barnsley are also keen on a deal to sign the defensive midfielder, which could mark the second time they have paid a fee for him, having paid Liverpool over £1 million to recruit him back in 2020.
The Tykes have already done some business to strengthen their options in the wake of Adam Phillips’ exit to Bradford City, having brought in Cameron McGeehan in on a free transfer.
Other options have been eyed by the club ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, with reports from Graeme Bailey suggesting they may also be keen on signing Sheffield United prospect Louie Marsh to play in a more attacking role.
Injury Issues Bring Clubs To Table
With Herbie Kane’s future at Huddersfield Town looking bleak right now, his fortunes may have changed in a more positive direction as two other League One clubs are now weighing up poaching him away.
For Plymouth Argyle, they are in need of some extra cover in midfield following the injury blow to Malachi Boateng in the draw against Wycombe Wanderers, with Tom Cleverley confirming that it is not a short-term issue.
Being already familiar with the setup in Devon, Kane can easily slot in and play a part for the Pilgrims, but will still have to strike up a repertoire with new signing Harvey White.
Barnsley’s interest stems from an issue for Vimal Yoganathan, and while his layoff is seemingly not as severe as the one facing Boateng, it is seemingly enough to bring the Tykes into the contest to sign Kane.
Either club would certainly be bolstered by having Kane in their ranks for the season ahead, but given the recent faith that Tom Cleverley put in the midfielder last season, that may give Plymouth the edge over Barnsley in this contest.
