Morgan Whittaker has been a superb player for Plymouth Argyle. He has featured in many of the club's most memorable moments over the past couple of years, but the time feels right now for him to move on.

Were that to happen in the coming days it should generate significant funds for the Pilgrims to spend on new recruits before the end of the January transfer window. Put simply, as good as Whittaker has been, and still can be, no one player is going to be able to save Argyle from the mess they are in at the bottom of the Championship table.

It is going to need an influx of signings, not only to add extra quality but also to give a boost for the existing squad whose morale must have taken a massive hit during their struggles over recent months.

READ MORE: Dan Grimshaw gives honest assessment of Plymouth Argyle's plight

READ MORE: Miron Muslic wants Plymouth Argyle signings who are up for the fight

We have all seen how devastating Whittaker's shooting with his trusty left foot can be. It has won Argyle lots of points. But teams are generally wise to that now and it is just not going to be enough for the Pilgrims in their current plight.

They need reinforcements in defence, midfield and attack, and as soon as possible. As we all know, Argyle's spending power does not compare with virtually all of their Championship rivals, even clubs who they have to try to finish above in the table to escape the drop into League One.

So additional funds from a Whittaker transfer - and remember, his former club Swansea City are entitled to a considerable sell-on - would maybe swing a deal or two that might not otherwise happen.

The fact there is an increasing gap between Argyle and a position of safety in the league table means it will not be easy to persuade players to join up for the relegation fight, but that is the reality of the situation.

Argyle need to find strong characters who are up for the challenge but, again, given all the turmoil at Home Park over the past year or so the club is almost certainly not as an attractive proposition as it was before to many potential signings.

There also has to be an acceptance that should Whittaker stay and Argyle are relegated at the end of the season that would have a detrimental effect on the fee they could get for him in the summer.

Argyle want to be a club which buys young up-and-coming players, develops them and then sells them for a healthy profit. Cashing in on Whittaker now seems the sensible way to go.

There are a couple of provisos to that, though. First, the price has to be right for a proven quality Championship player who is only aged 24 and under contract until the summer of 2027. Secondly, if there is an acceptable bid but it is too late in the transfer window for Argyle to be able to utilise it before the deadline then that should be rejected.

Burnley have already made a bid for Whittaker this month, renewing the interest they showed in the talented attacker at the end of the summer transfer window, but my understanding is that it was nowhere near the Pilgrims' valuation of him.

Scott Parker's Clarets are the next visitors to Home Park on Wednesday night so who knows what conversations could go on before and after that game about them coming back with an improved offer.

Regardless of that, Argyle must look at all options to improve their squad and if that means selling someone who has been so important to them as Whittaker so more quality and depth in all areas can be brought in for new head coach Miron Muslic to work with then so be it.

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE