MORGAN Whittaker looks increasingly likely to leave Plymouth this month after "not showing up" in time to play for Argyle against Burnley on Wednesday night - but boss Miron Muslic has reiterated that the Pilgrims will not sell their star man until their valuation is met.

Whittaker was selected to start against Burnley but didn't show up in time to feature, says Muslic.

The forward was in attendance at Home Park and watched on as Argyle were thumped 5-0 by the Clarets, who are rivalling Boro for the signature of the forward this season.

Both Boro and Burnley have bid for 24-year-old, but sources close to Argyle say the Championship's bottom club's asking price is yet to be met. The suggestion from the Plymouth end at this stage, however, is that Boro are favourites.

And on the back of Wednesday night's developments, it appears increasingly likely that he'll be on the move this month.

Muslic said:  "We need players who really want to play for Argyle so we can always count on them, and we need players who are ready to give everything. I know he's a target and linked with transfers I think from summer on, let's see.

"He was in the selection (against Burnley) and he was not there. We need to change this mentality, we need to change the locker room, we need to get characters inside with the desire to face this challenge and to give it all. That's our only way and that's our only chance."

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The new Plymouth boss added: "Morgan is an Argyle player under contract here as long as nobody are paying the money we as an organisation demand, and paying his value. He's an Argyle player and he has responsibilities and obligations towards Argyle. Like I said, that's one of the reasons Argyle is struggling for the last months.

"Morgan didn't show up. We had a game today and he was in the selection and he was not there, and that's everything I have to say on Morgan."

Plymouth captain Adam Randell was also quizzed on Whittaker's situation, saying: "I wasn't aware of the situation entirely," he said. "Obviously, what happened, happened and we just tried to focus on the team, preparing ourselves for the game.

"It's tough but, at the same time, I was trying to focus on myself and do what I could do to prepare myself for the game and make sure the others around me that were there were also prepared."

Whittaker has starred for Plymouth since joining from Swansea in July 2023. He previously had a good link-up with Finn Azaz before the forward's move to Boro 12 months ago.

Swansea are entitled to what has been described as a sizeable sell-on if and when Whittaker leaves Plymouth.