Lorent Tolaj of Plymouth Argyle is enjoying his third successful season in League One, which has piqued the interest of clubs higher up the football food chain.

The Pilgrims have had a season of two halves. With new manager Tom Cleverley in charge, the team made a dreadful start to the season, dropping into the relegation zone early on and remaining there until the beginning of the new year.

Following their terrible start, the club faced pressure to unload Cleverley, but the owners remained loyal to the head coach and have reaped the benefits as a result. They have only lost four League One games since Boxing Day, and with a win over Port Vale in their penultimate game of the season, they may still secure a play-off spot on the final weekend.

Lorent Tolaj, a striker, has been instrumental in this comeback.

The Swiss-Kosovar centre-forward has had one or two injury niggles this season, but he’s scored 17 goals in 32 third-tier appearances for the Pilgrims this season, totaling 21 goals across all competitions, and his form is now attracting the attention of bigger clubs, according to reports.

Lorent Tolaj is of interest to Sheffield United, Preston North End, and Leicester City.

Journalist Alan Nixon verified on Sunday morning on his Patreon page that Sheffield United, Preston North End, and Leicester City are all interested in Tolaj.

The Blades and Preston will be looking for reinforcements after disappointing Championship seasons, while Leicester may have a lot of squad reconstruction work to do following a second consecutive relegation, with many of their best assets likely to be sold before the League One season begins.

Nixon says that all three clubs are interested in the in-form striker, who joined Plymouth from Port Vale in August 2025 for a reputed sum of £1.2 million.

At the time of his arrival at Home Park, Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley stated that he had brought “the right number nine in the building” after his “monumental rise up the footballing pyramid,” and he was not mistaken.

The club’s Head of Football Operations, David Fox, stated that Lorent is more than just a goal scorer, as seen by his record.He has excellent technical skills, is physically fit, and can grip the ball well. He will ideally complement Tom’s style of play, but he also has plenty of opportunity for growth and development, which is equally intriguing.”

Sheffield United, PNE, and Leicester join Norwich City, Stoke, Swansea, and Anderlecht in the fight for Tolaj’s services, with Belgian daily Voetbal Primeur stating earlier this month that the striker was in high demand on multiple fronts.

Lorent Tolaj’s career has been on an upswing since leaving Brighton in 2023.

Lorent Tolaj’s career has been on an upward trajectory since he was released by Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023.

He joined the Seagulls academy in 2018, but despite loan spells at Cambridge United, Salford City, and Dundee during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, he did not appear for the main squad.

Following his release from Brighton, he was signed by National League club Aldershot Town. He made 44 league appearances for them during the 2023-24 season, scoring 19 goals, which earned him a move to Port Vale in June 2024. His success at Vale Park continued throughout the 2024-25 season, with 14 goals in 37 games as the club raced to promotion.

Plymouth Argyle paid a significant release clause fee to get Tolaj to Home Park, and their calculated gamble has definitely paid off. After proving himself in the National League and League Two, he has done it again in League One this season has piqued the curiosity of two Championship clubs and a third, all of whom expect to return to that league next season.

Those watching at him now may question how high his ceiling is, but Tom Cleverley’s ideal scenario would be for Tolaj to demonstrate that in the Championship with Plymouth Argyle next season.

A win at bottom-place Northampton Town on the final day of the season, combined with Stevenage and Luton dropping points, would offer them a chance at the play-offs. Even if they fall short, there will be plenty of clubs ready to give Lorent Tolaj that opportunity next season.