Rangers boss Michael Beale is keen to add to his squad before the end of the January transfer window and his first signing might not be too far away.
Swansea City winger Morgan Whittaker could be the first through the door with the Ibrox club already having a deal turned down by the Welsh outfit but Record Sport revealedhe is keen on the move. Behind the scenes, Beale and sporting director Ross Wilson will be drawing up names to add to the squad for the final run-in of the season. Beale has said on a number of occasions so far this window he is looking to add "two or three" starters to his squad.
Norwich City playmaker Todd Cantwell has been heavily linked with a move to Glasgow, however they have so far failed to get the deal across the line. Beale will be looking to add to his squad now in preparation for potentially losing a number of players in the summer with Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos all out of contract. Here's all you need to know about the Rangers target.
Who is Morgan Whittaker?
The 22-year-old is currently under contract at Swansea in the English Championship, however he spent the first six months on loan at Plymouth Argyle in League One. During his season-long loan at the Pilgrims he made an impression and managed to net nine times. He came through the Derby County youth system and made his debut for the club when they were still in the Championship. After an impressive period at Pride Park he was snapped up by the Welsh side on a four-and-a-half year deal in 2021. Just days after he signed for the Swans he scored on his debut when they faced Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side in the FA Cup.
What has been said about him?
Whittaker is a wanted man and it's no surprise given his eye for a goal. Former Derby County manager Phillip Cocu praised the then 19-year-old when he scored his first goal for the club. He said at the time: "He came on in quite a few games, but couldn't get into the game or bring what we saw of him in training sessions. Now he did. It is important to get your first goal, especially for an offensive player like he is and also an assist in one game to help us win the game. He has to enjoy this moment."
What are his key qualities?
The striker has been described as versatile who can chip in with goals and assists, while his energy levels have also been praised. When he was still in the academy at Derby the performance manager Justin Walker eulogised about Whittaker. He said: "I worked with him more regularly last season and I can already see how much he’s improved and that won’t stop. He is already a top player and it’s no wonder that he has been included in the first team set up and that’s only going to continue. He is a testament to what this academy is all about and a great model to all our other players. Having the ability is one thing, but it is really his attitude that’s going to take him to the top.”
The right man at last?
Getting the right man for the right has been an issue for Rangers for some time now, stretching back to when Steven Gerrard first took over. Daniel Candeias was already at the club, Eros Grezda (gulp!), Ovie Ejaria, Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie (remember him?), Scott Wright, Greg Stewart and last season Amad Diallo have all been tried. Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo have also been deployed there.
Rangers splashed out £2.5 million on Rabbi Matondo but it just hasn't worked out. There is no doubt his stats compare much more favourably than the former Schalke man - although that wouldn't be hard. And we have to factor in Whittaker playing at a lower level, with Plymouth Argyle in League One. But Whittaker has been involved in 17 goals this season - nine strike and eight assists - in 29 matches. Even if we compared him to Ryan Kent on the other flank for Rangers, who is much more productive than Matondo, then he has featured in the same amount of games but has been involved in just eight goals. Again, the level he played at must be taken into consideration but it's his still stats that look promising.
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