Morgan Whittaker bid was 'laughable' declares Wayne Rooney

Morgan Whittaker will still be a Plymouth Argyle player after the summer transfer window closes tomorrow night 'unless something crazy happens', according to head coach Wayne Rooney.

Plymouth Live understands Argyle immediately rejected an offer they received for their 2023/24 Player of the Year from Championship rivals Burnley. It is believed that was for a loan with an option to buy should Burnley be promoted back to the Premier League this season.

Rooney said during a Press conference at Home Park this lunchtime: "We received a bid and it's absolutely miles away from what we would even consider. It was laughable really."

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Whittaker was the subject of interest from Scottish Premiership side Rangers earlier this summer but that came to nothing. Argyle have been consistent in their stance they would not consider selling him unless any offer for the 23-year-old talented attacker, who is under contract until 2027, matched their valuation of him.

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Rooney said: "I think any bids we receive now, even if they get to the money which we would actually look at, is going to be very difficult because it leaves you no time to replace Morgan Whittaker because he's such a top player. As I said, we received a bid, rejected, nowhere near what we would even consider."

He added: "We are not looking to sell Morgan Whittaker. I have stressed that all pre-season and at the start of this season. Morgan is such an important player.

"I have been straight with Morgan, I have told him. He knows this. Of course, if a stupid bid comes in for him every player has their price but we want Morgan Whittaker here. He's an important player for me, an important player for the club and unless something crazy happens then he will still be here."

A couple of hours after Rooney had spoken to the media, there was a post on X (formerly Twitter) from BBC Sport's senior football news reporter Nick Mashiter reporting that Burnley had made a second bid for Whittaker, a loan with an obligation to buy.

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