Plymouth Argyle striker Bim Pepple continues to attract interest from several clubs after making a fine start to the new campaign on Monday.
The forward extended the stellar run of form in which he ended the last campaign by kicking off the new season with a goal against Argyle’s fierce rivals Exeter in the Carabao Cup, helping his side to a 2-0 win.
After the game, Pepple spoke of his motivation to get Plymouth back into the Championship this season.
“This club has huge aspirations. It’s a huge club,” Pepple told Sky Sports.
“It’s never a League One club. You look at the other ties with not too many fans but you come out here and it’s sold out for a Carabao Cup tie. It’s huge.
“We just want to get this club back to where it belongs. Championship minimum.”
Plymouth are understandably keen to keep hold of the 23-year-old, who scored 18 goals in all competitions for the club last season and is the top scorer in England’s top four leagues since the turn of the year.
The club have already lost Pepple’s former strike partner in Lorent Tolaj, who joined Bristol City earlier this summer.
“His rise has been incredible really, post-Christmas,” Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley said last month when asked about Pepple. “He’s a very, very important player for us. He’s adored here by players, staff and supporters.
“The player deserves a lot of credit for where he has got to now. He’s a big part of it. When you are playing 4-4-2 you want the best strikers, you want four if possible.
“I wouldn’t want to be losing another one any time soon. Individuals are not going to bring this club success, it will be the group, but we want Bim to stay for sure.”
Pepple is also enjoying life at Argyle, but clubs are expected to test Plymouth’s resolve again before the end of the transfer window.
MLS sides Minnesota United and Columbus Crew, Championship clubs Portsmouth, Lincoln City, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, and Preston North End, and Danish outfit AGF Aarhus are among those to have previously shown interest in the striker.