With their main man subject to transfer interest, this trio should be in the conversation to replace him at Home Park
Plymouth Argyle will be bracing themselves for plenty of interest in Morgan Whittaker over the summer, after he netted 19 league goals for the Pilgrims last season to help in their battle against the drop.
The former Derby County man has already been subject to interest from Premier League sides Brentford and Fulham in the past, as well as Serie A side Lazio, and it will be no surprise to see sides battle it out for his signature this summer.
The Greens will have to be prepared for losing their influential wide man in the coming months, and if they do, here are three potential replacements that could take his place in the attacking lineup.
Davis Keillor-Dunn
Whittaker has received a lot of attention for his consistent ability to score goals from distance. In the Championship last season, he outperformed his xG (expected goals) by an astounding 8.0 goals.
In the course of a domestic season, a few of those incredible goals may have given the Pilgrims points when they had none at all, and Davis Keillor-Dunn has given similar performances throughout his career.Keillor-Dunn, who scored from a variety of angles and distances in his 46 games for Mansfield Town previous season, was a key contributor to the Stags’ promotion from League Two with 30 goal involvements.
Having never played above League One in his career, the offensive midfielder should be given the opportunity to establish himself in the second division. He has a personal highlight reel worthy of any Championship striker.
His contract expires in the summer of 2025, so using some of the money from the Whittaker trade to sweeten the pot could be a wise move for the upcoming campaign. He could win a lot of points thanks to his flashes of brilliance.
Femi Azeez
Argyle has apparently been watching Femi Azeez for a while, but they were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the Reading player during the most recent January transfer window.
The 22-year-old’s inventiveness allowed him to create numerous chances for his team in the final third, which was a big part of the Royals’ incredible season as they battled against the odds to remain in the third division following point deductions.
Azeez has established himself as one of the top players in Berkshire right now with 17 goal contributions throughout the seasons, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Home Park team make a second attempt this summer.
The playmaker not only
Having played at Championship level earlier in his career, Azeez has a grounding in the second tier that would make the move back up easier to navigate, with a season in League One helping to boost his confidence and earn him a reputation as creator-in-chief.
If Whittaker departs, the Reading man could be the perfect replacement; left-footed, good link up play and an ability to find the net on a regular basis. Chuck in his mental attitude of digging the Royals out of the mire and he could prove to be an excellent addition.
Omari Forson
With the recent appointment of Wayne Rooney as the Pilgrims’ manager, Argyle could be in the mix to sign Manchester United forward Omari Forson for the following campaign.
The teenage winger made his debut for the Red Devils in their FA Cup encounter with Wigan Athletic earlier this year, before making a handful of Premier League appearances before the season came to an end.
Another highly rated star to come through the ranks at Carrington, the versatile attacker could be in line for a move away from Old Trafford next season, after reportedly refusing to sign a new contract with club.
With his deal coming to an end this summer, the 19-year-old would be free to find a new club in his search for more game-time, and Rooney could offer the perfect home for him to find his feet in the professional game.
Few players are more qualified to assist a budding striker in honing their craft than the former England international, who rose to prominence at Everton at the age of 16, growing up in front of the public.
With five goal involvements in six games for the development side in the 2023–24 season, Forson has demonstrated his ability to play at the Premier League 2 level for the Red Devils, whether he is working through the middle or from the flank.
The Pilgrims would be making a statement if they signed Whittaker, especially considering that several teams are said to be interested. However, even if Whittaker leaves, they will have enough cash on hand to pay for having a player of his caliber on the roster who could make the
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