Plymouth Argyle have had a busy start to the new year - on and off the pitch.

The Pilgrims’ manager Ryan Lowe offloaded expendable players during the January window, which saw defenders Niall Canavan and Scott Wootton vacate the South Coast alongside forwards Dom Telford and Frank Nouble.

The Liverpudlian dipped into the market himself, bolstering the backline with the loan signings of Adam Lewis and Sam Woods, whilst recruiting Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Niall Ennis and Blackpool loanee Ryan Hardie on permanent deals.

Despite the fact Plymouth had a strong window, there were a few players that slipped through Lowe’s net – 37-year-old forward Glenn Murray being one of them.

  • Murray’s moves this season

Murray made his second move of the season last month, reuniting with former boss Chris Hughton at Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.

The 6’1” attacker is most known for his spells at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored 23 league goals in his first season at the club- guiding the Sussex side into the Premier League.

Murray remained a consistent starter for the Seagulls, netting double figures in their first two seasons back in the top-flight.

Last season, however, Hughton was moved on, and with Graham Potter named his successor, Murray’s starts were scarce.

A move to Watford in the division below followed but he only managed 155 minutes in all competitions for his new side.

The loan move was mutually terminated towards the end of January, and on deadline day it was announced Murray had joined Forest on a permanent basis - ending his second stint at Brighton as their all-time Premier League top scorer.  

  • Lowe’s admittance

Lowe appeared on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live’s 72+ podcast alongside Murray which aired on Feb 5, and the Argyle boss wasted no time bringing up the transfer debacle.

The forward spoke to podcast host Aaron Paul – no, not that one – about his recent move to the City Ground before being interrupted by the Pilgrims' manager.

“You better start Glenn,” exclaimed Lowe. “I came in for you late on and you told me to go and do one!”

Murray reacted with laughter at Lowe’s honesty, complaining the club’s location on the South Coast was just too far for him.

Lowe continued: “I was thinking he has been locked up away at Watford, so I thought I would give Tunny [Ryan Tunnicliffe] a ring and ask him what is happening with Glenn.

“He started talking about something else and I thought that idea is out the window then!

“I thought he might do me for 12 weeks, get him firing with 10-15 goals before the end of the season - then he can go and get an even better move in the Championship next year.”

It seemed Murray was coming around to the idea, claiming that if a reunion with Hughton was not on the cards then he might have taken Lowe up on the offer.

The proposals did not stop there, though, as Lowe continued tempt Murray.

“Someone told me you lived in Bournemouth and I was thinking that it is only 80 minutes away,” Lowe said.

“I will give him Monday’s off so he can spend it with the wife and kids.”

Despite a deal never ultimately coming to fruition, Lowe still has a strong list of forwards at his disposal – including Pilgrims’ starlet Luke Jephcott.

The 21-year-old is the current top scorer in League One with 16 goals so far this campaign.

He will certainly wish to keep up his goalscoring form going into Tuesday's away clash with Accrington Stanley - having scored three in his last two.