"£1-2m with a sell-on clause" - Pundit tips Coventry City to capitalise on Plymouth Argyle contract impasse | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has exclusively given his verdict on Michael Cooper's Plymouth Argyle situation to Football League World

Carlton Palmer has issued advice to Plymouth Argyle's in-demand shot-stopper Michael Cooper, who has earned interest from Crystal Palace and Coventry City this summer.

The Pilgrims will face a battle to retain Cooper, who has less than a year to run on his current contract and has rejected the offer of a fresh agreement that would make him the highest earner in the club's history, according to the Plymouth Herald.

The report adds that Argyle are open to offers for the 24-year-old, with Alan Nixon separately reporting via his Patreon service that Crystal Palace and Coventry are both interested.

It's also been claimed by the Sheffield Star that Cooper is among Sheffield United's top transfer targets following their relegation from the Premier League last term, although their ongoing takeover has been restrictive to potentially conducting big-money transfer business thus far.

Wayne Rooney, who was appointed as Plymouth boss after they narrowly secured Championship survival in the 2023/24 campaign, spoke on the situations pertaining to both Cooper and Morgan Whittaker at a recent supporters' event via the Argyle Life / Green and White podcast on X.

Rooney is reported to have said of Cooper: "One of the best 'keepers in the league, of course we want to keep him.

"[There is] interest in him and Morgan, but if anyone offers silly money then they will need to be listened to. In my opinion, Michael Cooper will be here for the season."

However, Cooper's contract situation puts Plymouth in a difficult situation and Rooney will need to decide whether to cash in now or try and convince the asset to stay put, which is a risk given the threat of losing him for free next summer.

Carlton Palmer issues verdict on Plymouth Argyle's Michael Cooper amid Crystal Palace, Coventry City transfer interest

Palmer believes that Plymouth will likely cash in on Cooper with his current contract situation showing no signs of resolution and has highlighted Coventry as an ideal option for the 'keeper.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "He's got under 12 months left on his contract and he's refusing to sign a new contract at the moment as the terms don't suit him. In an ideal world he'd like to resign at Plymouth because he's guaranteed the number one spot but at this moment in time, he can't agree terms.

"Should he not agree terms, I'm sure Plymouth will cash in on him as he's only got a year left. Crystal Palace are looking to sign him, obviously the terms will be very favourable for him going from a Championship club to a Premier League side.

"They turned down an offer for Sam Johnstone to go to Nottingham Forest but it looks like they may well entertain an offer this summer, which would pave the way into bringing in a new goalkeeper.

"But he still wouldn't be their number one goalkeeper and he'd be on the bench. He's going to find it difficult to get into the first-team there."

In contrast, Palmer believes that Coventry represents a better option for Cooper if Plymouth decide to play it safe and cash in this summer.

The pundit has cited the Sky Blues' continual upwards trajectory under the tuition of Mark Robins and their own ambitions of reaching the Premier League as key reasons for Cooper to decide on a move to the West Midlands, which would see him remain in the Championship for the time being and likely feature more regularly than he would at Selhurst Park.

However, it does look as though City are poised to sign Oliver Dovin from Hammarby in-between the sticks, as per Sportsbladet in Sweden, which could put to rest any interest in Cooper.

"Coventry would be a great bet for him," Palmer added.

"Under Robins they are going to be pushing for promotion next season, they will be in and around those play-off places all season, he would be guaranteed the number one slot there and that's what you've got to think of.

"When you're regarded as the number one, which he is at Plymouth in the Championship, you don't want to be going and sitting on the bench.

"It's always difficult for a goalkeeper because there only is one position, so it's better for him to go and play and as I say, Robins has done a fantastic job his whole career at Coventry, so they will be pushing again next season and he'd be guaranteed a slot there.

"He just [needs to] bide his time, he's very young and he'll get that move to a Premier League club if he doesn't do [get promoted] with Coventry, and then he goes as a number one 'keeper.

"You don't want to go there and waste two or three seasons of your career.

"But Dougie Freedman knows exactly what he's doing at Crystal Palace, we've seen that in the past with the young players they've signed that have gone on to do well.

"They've taken the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Yannick Bolasie and more from the EFL and they've gone on to be successes in the Premier League.

"Given the fact that he's only got a year left on his contract it always makes negotiations more difficult so under their current situation, I think an offer of £1-2 million for Cooper with a sell-on clause, add-ons for appearances is the fee where he'll be at."

Wayne Rooney must realise Plymouth Argyle danger if Michael Cooper's summer exit is denied

Rooney's willingness to retain Cooper is justified in a way given his shot-stopping talents and extremely youthful age for such a seasoned goalkeeper, but the new boss must also realise the risk that he and Plymouth are taking if they deny Cooper of the move he's clearly after this summer.

It's unfortunate that the limited time remaining on his deal will see Plymouth net considerably less profit than if it had a couple of extra years to run, but it may be sensible for them to simply take the money while they can.

Surely that's a better alternative to losing Cooper for absolutely nothing and sanctioning a summer sale would free up vital funds to be reinvested into the squad, which urgently requires additions if the Pilgrims are to see off relegation for the second season running.