Southampton handed boost as Morgan Whittaker ‘to join’ Colorado Rapids in club-record deal | OneFootball

Southampton could benefit from a late deadline-day twist involving Middlesbrough forward Morgan Whittaker. The Northern Echo reports that MLS side Colorado Rapids have agreed a club-record deal to sign the 25-year-old, with a medical taking place in London.

Middlesbrough are expected to be among the Saints' promotion rivals, so a departure at this stage could bite. Whittaker delivered 14 goals and 7 assists last season.

Tonda Eckert's side have largely kept their attack intact, with Caspar Jander, Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza all retained, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis has moved on to Aston Villa. Azaz and Scienza shone in the 5-1 win over Millwall, Cyle Larin also prominent, as Southampton moved beyond their four point penalty.

Whittaker has often troubled Southampton. In 2023, while at Plymouth Argyle, he registered an assist in a 2-1 Saints win in Devon under Russell Martin.

By January, he struck twice for Kim Hellberg's rampant side in a 4-0 victory over Eckert's early-stage team. He is yet to score this campaign.

Hellberg has already absorbed Hayden Hackney's exit and might have to manage another if this move lands. Southampton, meanwhile, will hope it nudges a rival off stride.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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