AS gut-wrenching as the sudden departure of the talented Finn Azaz from Plymouth Argyle is, it cannot have been totally unexpected to the powers-that-be at Home Park.
After all, a similar scenario happened almost exactly 12 months ago. Morgan Whittaker was recalled from his successful loan spell by Swansea City and a transfer to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers looked on the cards.
However, materialise, that move failed to at least in part because Whittaker made it clear he was keen on a return to Argyle, and he got his wish in July when he returned in a club record £1 million transfer.
That smashed the club record previously held by midfielder Simon Walton, who cost £750,000 when he signed from Queens Park Rangers in August 2008 - and was equalled soon afterwards by Bali Mumba being signed from Norwich City after his superb loan stint with the Pilgrims as they won the 2022/23 League One title.
Like Mumba and Whittaker, Azaz was excellent on loan to Argyle last term, either side of a three-month absence due to a broken ankle, and I am led to believe they sounded out his parent club, Aston Villa, in the summer about a permanent transfer for him.
However, after the Pilgrims signed Whittaker and Mumba- and they had not initially expected to be able to bring back the latter - that move for Azaz was not possible given the fees they had already splashed out.
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