Pilgrims have first refusal on signing Dutchman Cissoko

PLYMOUTH Argyle would have the right of first refusal should another club make a bid for their exciting on-loan Toulouse winger Ibrahim Cissoko in the January transfer window, director of football Neil Dewsnip has revealed.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Cissoko joined Argyle from French Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a season-long loan in July and has made an immediate impact. He is their top scorer with three goals, has assisted two others and his trickery on the ball - as well as his step-overs - have made the 21-year-old a firm favourite with the Green Army.

Argyle have benefited greatly from their use of the loan market over recent seasons, such as in the cases of Morgan Whittaker and Finn Azaz. However, both were recalled from season longloans in January transfer windows.

Whittaker went back to Swansea City in January 2023 and despite speculation he would be sold he remained with the South Wales club but did not play much and eventually signed for the Pilgrims in a £1 million transfer that summer. Azaz was recalled by Aston Villa at the start of this year and immediately sold to Middlesbrough for a reported fee of around £2.5m.

So the phrase 'season-long loan' does not always apply. However, the deal negotiated with Toulouse over Cissoko (pictured) does leave Argyle in a better position to try to keep him should any other club make an ofer for him next January.