Middlesbrough close in on Morgan Whittaker capture after agreement with Plymouth Argyle reached
Middlesbrough are closing in the signing of Morgan Whittaker after agreeing a fee with Plymouth Argyle for the forward.
Boro faced competition from Burnley for the 24-year-old's signature, but appear to be closing in on the transfer after a deal was secured with the Championship basement club. Finn Azaz, who enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Whittaker at Home Park, is believed to have played his part in convincing Whittaker on the move to the Riverside.
The fee agreed is believed to be £6 million with an extra £2 million in potential add-ons. Swansea City are due a percentage of any transfer fee received as part of the agreement that took him to Plymouth Argyle back in 2023. The forward is now undergoing a medical to finalise the move.
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It follows Whittaker's ommision from Plymouth's squad that were beaten by Burnley this week. Head coach Miron Muslic said the forwrad 'did not show up', though he was at Home Park for the game. He had been a target for both Boro and Burnley, but appears to have chosen Boro after Burnley had a bid turned down earlier in the window.
Whittaker's arrival boosts Michael Carrick's forward options after Isaiah Jones' exit to Luton Town earlier in the window. They also allowed young forward Micah Hamilton to join Stockport County on loan earlier this week. Boosted by the news they will also be keeping Ben Doak until the end of the season, Whittaker is seen as Doak's long-term replacement on the right wing, while he can also play as a number ten too.
His arrival is believed to be seperate to any potential Emmanuel Latte Lath sale, with Boro sources saying they will be looking to sign a natural centre forward this month still, if the Ivorian opts to leave the Riverside before the end of the window. It's another transfer breakthrough for Boro after sealing the loan capture of Ryan Giles on Thursday and agreeing a fee with Ipswich Town for the permanent capture of George Edmundson, which is expected to be confirmed soon.
Whittaker scored nine goals and registered seven assists during his half-season on loan at Plymouth to help them win Championship promotion in 2023. Signing permanently that summer, he fired 20 goals with eight assists last term and has four goals with one assist in a more difficult campaign so far this term.
