"Would be a risky move" - Pundit reacts as Plymouth Argyle eye ex-Liverpool player | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes former Liverpool and Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria would be a risky signing for Plymouth Argyle.

According to Football Insider, the Pilgrims are weighing up a move for Ejaria, who is a free agent after being released by the Royals.

Ejaria initially joined Reading on loan from Liverpool in January 2019, and after two loan spells with the club, he made a permanent move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in August 2020.

The 26-year-old made just eight appearances for the Royals last season as they were relegated to League One, with the last of those coming in November 2022, and his contract was terminated last month due to injury problems and as part of cost-cutting measures amid the club's current plight.

It has been a busy transfer window so far for Plymouth, and they have lost three key players with Finn Azaz, Luke Cundle and Kaine Kesler-Hayden being recalled from their loan spells at Home Park, while Lewis Warrington has returned to parent club Everton due to injury.

However, Argyle have brought in four new additions this month, with Ashley Phillips, Darko Gyabi, Alfie Devine and Matthew Sorinola all arriving at the club.

Ian Foster's side currently sit 19th in the Championship table, eight points clear of the relegation zone, and they are back in action when they host Cardiff City on Saturday.

Palmer: Ejaria would be a gamble for Plymouth

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that while Ejaria would be a risky signing for the Pilgrims, if he can rediscover his form, he could be a shrewd addition.

"Plymouth Argyle are weighing up a move for free agent midfielder Ovie Ejaria, who was released by cash-strapped Reading last month," Palmer said.

"He has not played once this season, and he has not featured for Reading since November 2022.

"This would be a risky move by Plymouth, but one they think might be worth taking with a high reward.

"Ovie is a supremely talented player on his day, if Plymouth are convinced about his fitness and commitment to the club, he could prove to be a great replacement for Finn Azaz and a gamble that the club and the manager feel that they are prepared to take."

Plymouth should avoid Ovie Ejaria move

Palmer is right that Ejaria is a player with a lot of talent, but he failed to display that regularly towards the latter end of his time at Reading.

Ejaria has not played a game for over 14 months, so he would need a significant period of time to get up to speed, and there would be question marks over whether he could stay fit.

The departures of Azaz and Cundle were a huge blow for the Pilgrims, but the arrivals of Gyabi and Devine have strengthened Ian Foster's midfield options.

Home Park could be the perfect place for Ejaria to reignite his career, but he would be too much of a gamble for Argyle to take at this point.