If a report from Record Sport is believed to be true, Rangers have reignited interest in Morgan Whittaker. They had their initial bid rejected by Plymouth Argyle, but the Light Blues are expected to return with an improved offer to secure his services north of the border.
The 23-year-old attacking ace progressed through the academy ranks of Derby County before breaking into their senior side in August 2019. He then joined fellow Championship outfit Swansea City in February 2021 but mostly spent his time on loan in League One with Lincoln City and Plymouth Argyle.
Despite being recalled in January 2023, Whittaker’s impact from the flanks helped the Pilgrims grab a promotion to the second tier of English football. They splashed a club-record £1m plus add-ons to tie him down last summer and the youngster went on to fire in 20 goals and assist 9 times in 50 appearances across competitions [stats via Transfermarket].
Meanwhile, the Gers’ offer of over £7m including additional extras has been rebuffed by the Devon-based outfit. New boss Wayne Rooney wants to keep hold of his prized asset at Home Park, however, the winger’s desired move to Ibrox could materialize if Rangers table an improved bid in the due course of time.
Whittaker, then at Swansea, was a rumoured transfer target during Michael Beale’s managerial stint. Although it did not work out back then, the management kept close tabs even after Beale’s dismissal and Philippe Clement’s appointment as the Englishman’s successor.
Why Rangers Should Snap Him Up
The left-footed attacker prefers to operate from the right as an inverted winger but is also capable of featuring from the left, as a ‘False 9’ or second striker. His quality, flexibility, as well as consistency, would bolster the Gers en route to a squad rebuild amid the growing uncertainty over Abdallah Sima’s return. The Senegalese enjoyed a blistering loan spell from Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Seagulls have not decided yet whether to retain him for the upcoming campaign.
Rangers did not have a stable right-sided attacking option throughout the 2023-24 season. Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell and Scott Wright failed to leave a mark, whereas an injury woe refrained Rabbi Matondo from securing a regular status. The Belgian chief even deployed Dujon Sterling as a makeshift winger, but the academy prospect Ross McCausland happened to be the only name who made his presence known irrespective of certain limitations. The Light Blues are working on a few exits to generate funds and the same would be invested in young yet proven players to reclaim the silverware from their Old Firm rivals.
