Plymouth Argyle must hope Burnley don't execute plan similar to Zian Flemming deal: View | OneFootball

The Dutchman moved to Turf Moor this summer after the Clarets reignited their 2023 interest

Plymouth Argyle had to work hard to keep hold of Morgan Whittaker this summer, with plenty of clubs reported to have had an interest in the Pilgrims’ forward.

Burnley were one of the sides who had the most prominent position late into the transfer window, with the Clarets reportedly being knocked back a number of times by the Greens as they held firm to their ‘not for sale’ stance.

In the end, the Lancashire outfit settled for a move for Millwall’s Zian Flemming, with the Lions letting the Dutchman move to Turf Moor on loan for the season, with a £7 million obligatory windfall said to be coming next summer.

The former Fortuna Sittard man is said to be a player that Burnley have been courting for a while, and Argyle will be hoping there won’t be a similar game plan in place for Whittaker.

Zian Flemming reveals 2023 Burnley talks after Turf Moor move

Upon signing for the Clarets, Flemming revealed that the deal had been a long time in the making, with his new employers trying to get a deal done last summer as they were about to return to the Premier League.

Having just fired 15 goals in 43 league games for the Lions, the forward had proven himself to be one of the most promising talents in the Football League, with Vincent Kompany keen to get a deal over the line.

Flemming said last month to the club’s in-house production Clarets+, via the Burnley Express: “Burnley had just gone up to the Premier League, so that would’ve been moving to the Premier League. That deal, in the end, didn’t get done and I played another year at Millwall.

“In the Championship they (Burnley) are one of the biggest clubs and one of the favourites to go up again. Obviously they have just come down from the Premier League Premier League so they have big ambitions.

“The Championship is a really tough league, I’ve known that now for the past two years so it’s impressive to stand out in a league like that, which they obviously did during the promotion year.”

12 months on and the Bermondsey outfit finally gave in and allowed Flemming to leave the club, and those at Home Park should be keeping notes about what to expect in the months to come.

Plymouth Argyle must do everything to avoid Zian Flemming repeat with Morgan Whittaker

Having seen a Championship rival finally give in to the Clarets’ advances after successfully fending them off a season before, Argyle will know they need to be on their guard at all times regarding Whittaker.

Having netted 19 times for the Greens in the previous campaign, it was no surprise that Premier League sides were said to be taking an interest in the 23-year-old, as well as bids table from Burnley and Scottish side Rangers.

It seems as if no club met the Pilgrims’ reported £10 million valuation for the former Swansea City man over the summer, with the Home Park outfit staying firm in their negotiations for their top talent.

But after already getting off the mark with a 25-yard effort against Queens Park Rangers last month, Whittaker’s form looks likely to continue into the current campaign, with more and more suitors likely to emerge.

Burnley could well be trying to get to the front of the queue once again when the transfer window reopens, although Argyle will be doing all they can to keep hold of a player who could hold the keys to their future success.