Morgan Whittaker is probably the most high profile Rangers transfer link of the window so far.
The 23-year-old is certainly the most expensive.
Rangers have reportedly had a £7m offer for Whittaker thrown out by English Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
That’s a hefty amount of change for the forward, who netted 20 goals for Plymouth after making the permanent switch to the side last season.
Rangers interest in Whittaker is believed to be ‘legitimate’ with the winger one of three names mentioned by Heart & Hand.
But after the latest comments from Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney, and Rangers chairman John Bennett, fears are rising over a deal being concluded.
Rooney: Whittaker position hasn’t changed
New Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney has yet to prove himself as a manager after doomed stints with DC United and Birmingham City.
Coming into Home Park this summer, Rooney has previously said it would take ‘crazy’ money to tempt Plymouth into selling Morgan Whittaker.
And that’s been reiterated once again as the Plymouth boss insists only serious offers will see Argyle tempted into selling the ex-Swansea star.
Rooney was talking about the futures of both Rangers-linked Whittaker and goalkeeper Michael Cooper.
It comes after Rooney provided an update on Morgan Whittaker following a 5-1 friendly win over Cheltenham Town last weekend.
“I haven’t had anything since I spoke to you last Saturday,” said Rooney after the 2-0 friendly win over Torquay, as quoted by Plymouth Live.
“They are two very important players. I think today was the first time Coops has worn the armband as well. I didn’t know that, he has just told me after the game.
“Nothing has changed. They are Argyle players and I’m very confident that will remain for the rest of this season.”
Bennett: Rangers must speculate to accumulate
The comments also come at the same time as Rangers chairman John Bennett has been addressing the support.
In interesting comments, Bennett has claimed that Rangers have already invested £11.5m into the squad since Philippe Clement took over.
However the Gers chief does believe that investment in potential player trading assets is essential to build Rangers back to Scottish footballing supremacy.
“There’s often talk about the phasing of buying and selling,” said Bennett.
“If you actually look at the facts, not just in this window, but prior to this window, how has Rangers operated?
“And I want us to get away from how we’ve operated but how we’ve operated has been the board has essentially backstopped each window.
“If I take 2024 the January window and this window, excluding loans, we’re double digit millions in commitments, in transfer payables.
“Excluding loans we’re about £11.5m in thus far on transfer payables, and loans, they’re not free.”
On player trading, Bennett added: ““If you are going to be serious about doing that then you’re going to have to invest in player recruitment for the long-term as well as the short-term.
“That’s a really challenging route to navigate and it’s not done in one window.
“I like to think that people can see the complexion of this window has long-term in it as well as short-term.”
Whilst Morgan Whittaker – a high potential 23-year-old English winger – certainly fits the Rangers player trading profile, a deal feels a long way off.
As much as Bennett is saying Rangers have to speculate to accumulate here, splashing north of £7m on one player with finances this tight is a recipe for disaster.
Nonetheless the situation is one to watch but between Rooney’s comments and Bennett’s claims about spending £11.5m already this year, is a move for Whittaker genuinely realistic?
