Portsmouth striker target Bim Pepple dealt blow that could be catalyst for Pymouth Argyle exit
Plymouth Argyle striker Bim Pepple is a player currently under consideration by Pompey as they look to bolster their attacking ranks during the transfer window
Pompey target Bim Pepple won’t be heading to this summer’s World Cup Finals with Canada.
And that could give the Blues encouragement to step up their interest in the striker who bagged 18 goals for Plymouth Argyle last season.
The News understands the 23-year-old is a player who has come under Pompey’s radar as they look to bolster their centre-forward options during the transfer window.
The Fratton Park outfit had the former Luton attacker watched on multiple occasions during the 2025-26 campaign and were left impressed as he found the back of the net 15 times following the turn of the year.
However, it’s also our understanding that the Blues’ determination to improve their forward ranks has seen them identify potential targets abroad as well, with Pepple one of a number of strikers currently under consideration by the club’s recruitment team.
A £250,000 arrival from the Hatters last summer, Pepple’s stock rose further this season when he earned a maiden call-up to the Canadian national side as manager Jesse Marsch decided to take a look at him at close quarters ahead of next month’s tournament which is being co-hosted by the Canadians.
No game time followed in those March matches against either Iceland or Tunisia in Toronto, with the striker remaining on the bench.
Now a further international blow has followed this week, with Marsch opting not to include the in-form Plymouth favourite in his final 26-man squad.
Instead, Juventus’ Jonathan David, Cyle Larin of Southampton, Tani Oluwaseyi of Villarreal, and Union Saint-Gilloise’s Promise David (Union SG) have been selected as the forwards to spearhead Canada’s attack, forcing former Calvary FC striker Pepple to watch the action unfold from home.
That will prove to be a difficult watch for a player who had hopes of representing his country on the world’s biggest stage next month.
Pepple also has ambitions of becoming a regular member of Marsch’s ranks, something which would be better achieved outside of English football’s third tier.
It’s understood a move to the Championship would be his preferred option if those clubs currenty weighing him up, including Pompey, step up their interest.
A ‘significant fee’ would be needed to convince Plymouth to sell one of their prized assets, though.
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