Plymouth Argyle must be tempted by Michael Cooper risk: View | OneFootball

The Argyle goalkeeper reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract at Home Park this summer

Michael Cooper shocked Plymouth Argyle earlier this summer by revealing that he won’t be signing a new contract with the club.

According to Plymouth Live, the goalkeeper was offered a deal to make him the best-paid player at the club if he were to extend his deal past next summer but still turned it down.

That leaves Argyle with a predicament on their hands during the current transfer window, with the temptation to cash in on one of their top talents being weighed up against the value of one more season with him between the sticks.

With that in mind, new Pilgrims boss Wayne Rooney must be tempted to risk losing the 24-year-old on a free next summer, to have the prized possession at his disposal for the year to come.

Wayne Rooney will be considering Michael Cooper action

The difference that Cooper makes to this Argyle team was plain for all to see in the previous campaign, as the local lad regained fitness to return to the first-team and take the place of Conor Hazard for the second half of the Championship season.

For all that the Northern Irishman can do in terms of keeping the ball out of the back of the net, Hazard’s distribution was often found to be lacking, and Argyle’s ability to break quickly and counter attack was hampered as as result.

That all changed once their first-choice returned from the second of his two ligament injuries he has suffered during his early career, as he missed out on three months of the season due to the setback.

Whether it was his rapid reactions or ability to build attacks with the ball at his feet or his quick throws out, Cooper has proved himself to be a key piece of the Pilgrims’ jigsaw, and despite his refusal to commit his future to the club, it’s hard to see any transfer fee being worth missing out on another season of his heroics in goal.

Although a valuation is yet to be placed upon his head, the academy graduate will be worth a whole to Argyle with a strong season at Home Park to help the Greens continue to progress, rather than any immediate financial gain through his departure.

The situation with the shot-stopper has provided a dilemma for Rooney less than two months after taking the job in Devon, and the ex-Birmingham City manager has outlined his stance during Argyle's pre-season trip to Marbella.

Speaking at a fan event in Spain, Rooney said of Cooper: “[He is] one of the best ‘keepers in the league, of course we want to keep him.

“[There has been] interest in him and Morgan [Whittaker] - but if anyone offers silly money then they will need to be listened to.

“In my opinion, Michael Cooper will be here for the season.”

That final sentence will be music to many Argyle fan’s ears, and if it comes to fruition, the Greens are building a squad that looks capable of pushing further up the table than last season’s relegation scrap proved.

Michael Cooper transfer speculation increases with Crystal Palace, Coventry City in the race

Argyle have proven that they are no pushovers in the transfer market these days, with their recent negotiations with fellow star man Morgan Whittaker [pictured] proving as much.

The Greens are said to want £15 million for the left-footed star, who is said to be wanted by Premier League duo Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, as well as Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Lazio.

The Devon outfit know the value of their top stars, and it will likely be a similar scenario with Cooper, with the Pilgrims prepared to keep hold of their Crown Jewels for as long as they possibly can.

And if that means Cooper taking the decision to leave the club next summer instead of signing a new deal, then so be it, because his role over the next 12 months could be crucial in continuing the momentum that is building at Home Park.

Crystal Palace and Coventry City are the latest two sides to be interested in the shot-stopper this summer, with The Sun journalist Alan Nixon revealing the latest links through his Patreon page over the weekend.

Given his performances over the past few seasons at Home Park, it is no surprise that all manner of sides in the top two tiers are casting an eye over the 24-year-old, but with Rooney and Argyle playing hardball, it could well mean that we will see Cooper in Devon come September, which will be a sight welcomed by everyone of a green persuasion.