New Morgan Whittaker twist emerges at Middlesbrough - major move could happen before 11pm | OneFootball

MLS side Colorado Rapids are advancing in talks with Middlesbrough over a record-breaking deal for Morgan Whittaker

MLS outfit Colorado Rapids are advancing in talks with Middlesbrough over a possible club-record deal for Morgan Whittaker.

Kim Hellberg's side returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over fast-starting West Brom, with Will Lankshear netting another couple of goals, taking his tally to six in his first five games for the club.

Middlesbrough were crying out for a recognised goalscorer this summer, with the main frustration under Hellberg towards the end of last year being that they didn't have that ruthless number nine to finish off the plethora of chances they created.

Lankshear is wasting no time taking that mantle, but the man he's taken it off could be set to leave the Riverside ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm later today.

Morgan Whittaker subject to record bid from Colorado Rapids

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According to Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, MLS side Colorado Rapids have set down a club-record deal for Middlesbrough forward Whittaker.

The 25-year-old ended last season as Middlesbrough's top scorer in the Championship, netting 14 times, while providing seven assists, too.

It was a much-needed breakout year in Boro colours, after failing to find the net in 16 games in the 2024/25 term after transferring midway through it from Plymouth Argyle for a reported fee of up to £7.5 million.

Whittaker has recorded just one assist and no goals in five outings so far this season, with the attacking spotlight now firmly on Lankshear, and Colorado are interested in finding out if the Boro man is available to leave the club on deadline day.

The Rapids have a decent amount of money to spend after they recouped $17 million for 19-year-old Lucas Herrington by selling him to Hull City. Their current transfer record stands at €7 million for the deal to sign Paxten Aaronson, brother of current Leeds United man Brenden, last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Middlesbrough should use Emmanuel Latte Lath sale as precedent if Morgan Whittaker is to leave on deadline day

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It's evident that, if Whittaker were to move stateside to Colorado, it would break their transfer record, as it currently stands at less than what Middlesbrough spent to bring the 25-year-old in from Plymouth 18 months ago, with all add-ons completed.

It's unknown what the bid exactly is, but Boro have a useful precedent when selling to the MLS, having offloaded Emmanuel Latte Lath for a record £22.5 million just days after signing Whittaker in February 2025.

Latte Lath did manage more goal involvements than Whittaker has in a Boro shirt (33 to 23, having played one more game), so while Middlesbrough arguably wouldn't be demanding high fees akin to the 27-year-old's sale, they should still be holding out for a decent eight-figure fee.

Middlesbrough should only sanction Morgan Whittaker deal if a replacement can be found in time

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Whittaker's goals came in streaks last year. A run of six straight games finding the back of the net was followed up by a run of three goals in 16 games, and his inconsistencies were a cause for some frustration.

So, there may be some Middlesbrough fans who wouldn't mind seeing Whittaker leave, especially as it could free up room in the squad for some other players who, with the extra game time, could prove to be more effective in that role.

Kim Hellberg's side won't have long at all to source a replacement with the money coming in, though, and there's no doubting that he's a key man in the Swede's setup, even if the goalscoring burden isn't on him too much anymore.

However, if a loan move for Amario Cozier-Duberry is in the offing if Whittaker leaves, as is being reported, perhaps the loss of Whittaker wouldn't be too detrimental.