Rangers: Michael Beale admits Morgan Whittaker will probably stay at Swansea City this January
Michael Beale has admitted Rangers transfer target Morgan Whittaker will probably “be staying at Swansea” this January, as relayed by Four Lads Had A Dream.
The Gers made a second improved bid for the 22-year-old forward in an attempt to lure him to Ibrox before the transfer deadline shuts at the end of the month.[Daily Record, 27 January]
Beale was reportedly looking to add the Swans attacker to his ranks after signing Todd Cantwell and being on the verge of snapping up Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin. [Fabrizio Romano, 30 January]
But the English manager admitted to the press on Monday (30 January) that a deal for the young striker is unlikely in the closing stages of the window.
Four Lads Had A Dream tweeted: “Michael Beale press conference – Morgan Whittaker is separate, and ‘he will be staying at Swansea, I believe.'”
Transfer blow
Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction for Rangers in the closing stages of the winter window after Beale admitted news on Raskin would emerge in the next 24 hours, but the news on Whittaker comes as a sucker-punch.
The Swansea City attacker has been in lightning form for Plymouth Argyle on loan this season, scoring nine goals and providing a further seven assists. However, the Gers will have to make do and likely re-enter negotiations in the summer due to Swansea’s reluctance to budge on price.
Realistically this signing wasn’t going to define Rangers’ season, with the club still nine points behind Celtic in the league and heavy outsiders to impose themselves on Ange Postecoglou’s side.
With Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos out of contract in the summer, though, it wouldn’t come as a surprise for the Gers to re-ignite their interest at that end of the season as a potential successor to either of these players.
In other Rangers news, a club in Europe holds the option to re-sign a player from Ibrox whenever they like.