Football League World
·25 July 2024
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·25 July 2024
The Spanish side were one of a number said to be tracking Morgan Whittaker this summer
Morgan Whittaker is one of the most sought-after talents in the Football League as it stands, with clubs all over Europe said to be interested in the Plymouth Argyle man.
A report from Football Insider earlier this month claimed that Premier League duo Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers were said to be interested in signing the former Swansea City man this summer.
Bundesliga runners-up Stuttgart were also said to be in the mix, as well as long-term admirers Lazio, while Spanish side Celta Vigo were the fifth club mentioned to be keeping tabs on the wide man.
But with the La Liga outfit confirming the loan signing of Borja Iglesias earlier in the week, any fears of the Spanish side ramping up their interest could be allayed for now, as Argyle continue to fight to keep hold of their top talent.
The move to Vigo is something of a homecoming for Iglesias, who began his footballing career with the club, before going on to spend time with Real Zaragoza, Espanyol and Betis over the past eight seasons.
The Spaniard spent the second-half of the previous campaign on loan with Bundesliga Champions Bayer Leverkusen, although he barely featured for Xabi Alonso’s all-conquering side, with just two league starts during his time in Germany.
Having come full circle this summer, the 31-year-old will add to Celta’s options in the forward department, and Argyle will be hoping that development stunts any further interest in their main man this summer.
Ever since the reports have come out about the mass interest in Whittaker, every whisper of information from the clubs interested will have been analysed, scrutinised and hypothesised in the hopes that the wide man won’t be leaving Home Park anytime soon.
Having found the net 19 times in the Championship last season, the 23-year-old was a major factor in the Greens maintaining their status as a second tier side, as he so often won points for the Greens with his unerring ability to find the net from all distances and angles.
As a result, there has been plenty of speculation about whether the former Derby County man will leave this summer, after Argyle fielded plenty of interest in him during the January transfer window.
The Pilgrims put a £15 million price tag on his head six months ago, and that bounty doesn’t seem to have changed in that time period, meaning any club that wants to make him theirs will have to stump up the cash to show they mean business.
In the latest update regarding the Argyle hotshot, Scottish Premiership side Rangers are said to have had a bid in excess of £7 million rejected by the Greens this summer, as the Glasgow outfit reignite their interest in the playmaker.
Having been interested in Whittaker while he was still a Swansea City player, the Ibrox side are said to be eager to make him theirs once again this summer, with the player also said to be interested in a move north of the border.
Despite the interest from Philippe Clement’s side, Argyle boss Wayne Rooney [pictured] has underlined the club’s stance on their top talent as the summer transfer window continues.
Rooney told Plymouth Live last weekend: “I have said this before, Morgan is a fantastic player, and I’m really enjoying working with him. We value Morgan very highly. Anything other than a crazy bid, we won’t be entertaining.
“Ultimately, I want Morgan to stay at the football club because he’s a very good player, and he’s the player who can make a difference.”
While Rangers are continuing to be held at arm’s length, Argyle will also be welcoming the news from Spain in the past week, as another potential suitor looks to have explored another avenue rather than pursue a deal for Whittaker.