"Exciting deal" - Middlesbrough urged to go all out and gazump Burnley for Plymouth Argyle transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has had his say on links to Plymouth Argyle's Morgan Whittaker.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Plymouth Argyle forward Morgan Whittaker is a target for multiple Championship clubs, including Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough.

Whittaker scored a remarkable 20 goals and provided eight assists in 50 games last season to help the Pilgrims to Championship survival, and despite being linked with the likes of Burnley, Fulham, Brentford, Lazio, and Rangers in the summer, he remained in Devon.

It has been a much quieter season for Whittaker this time around, with the 24-year-old scoring just four goals and registering one assist in 22 games so far, but that has not prevented Burnley from reigniting their interest, and the Clarets are said to have had a bid rejected for the attacker, with their offer falling well short of Argyle's valuation.

Another club though has entered the running, because as per Alan Nixon's report, Middlesbrough are now keen, and their offer starts around the halfway mark of Plymouth's £10 million asking price with add-ons, as they look to try and beat Burnley to the signature of the wide forward.

Middlesbrough told to splash out on Morgan Whittaker transfer

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Jasper Hudson has provided his reaction to the latest news and whether Whittaker would be a good addition for Boro, and he believes that for an initial £5 million, the dynamic attacker could be a good addition, although it's going to likely take far more than that to entice Plymouth into selling.

Jasper told FLW: "Morgan Whittaker for £5 million? I think that could be a very exciting deal.

"If he comes in as an Isaiah Jones replacement, then we've got a player who, on top form, is a very good Championship player.

"He's obviously not quite hit the levels again this season, but he's showed he's still got moments of quality like what he did against Brentford.

"I think, for £5 million, after the previous interest and the price tags involved, that he could be a very good deal.

"He's obviously played with Finn Azaz before, so hopefully that can get more out of Azaz.

"He's not been as good lately and hopefully Whittaker would even also just provide a bit of competition as well.

"I think our whole team hasn't been as good recently. Bringing in players of real quality that can compete for places and add to our team is good, and I think that is a good price tag for a player like Whittaker."

After Miron Muslic was appointed as Wayne Rooney’s successor this month, Argyle will be looking to turn things around after a wretched start to the season, with the Devon outfit currently glued to the bottom of the table with just one league win since the first weekend of October.

They simply cannot afford to lose Whittaker this month, and his exit would make Muslic's already difficult task significantly harder.

Argyle will likely set a high valuation as they look to keep hold of Whittaker, but Burnley and Boro have vast financial resources and could return with an improved proposal.

He can operate as a right-sided winger, attacking midfielder, or possibly as a striker as well. Whittaker's weapon is his left foot, which is capable of moments of inspiration, particularly with powerful drives from range. That could be a differential in the final third in securing crucial points at either end of the table.