Rangers see 7-figure bid rejected for Plymouth Argyle player | OneFootball

Morgan Whittaker has re-emerged as a target for the SPFL side

Rangers have seen a seven-figure bid for previous target, Morgan Whittaker of Plymouth Argyle, rejected.

That's according to a report from Scottish publication the Daily Record on Friday evening, who claim that the Gers have rekindled their interest in the sought-after winger, whilst seeing a reported bid in excess of £7 million turned down by the Devon outfit.

Argyle are continuing their preparations ahead of the new Championship season under the well-documented guidance of former Manchester United and England icon, Wayne Rooney, who was appointed two months ago.

The Liverpudlian will be hoping to boost the Pilgrims' standing in the second tier table after the club retained their second tier status by the narrowest of margins on the final day of last season, at the expense of his former club, Birmingham City.

In order to do so, Plymouth will be hoping to keep their prized assets such as Whittaker and goalkeeper Michael Cooper amid strong interest from elsewhere, but it's the former Derby County man who continues to be the subject of a greater number of rumours linking him with a move away from Home Park.

Rangers rekindle their interest in Plymouth Argyle winger Morgan Whittaker

Given Whittaker's form with the Green Army in an initial loan spell and after his record-breaking move back to the club last summer, it remains no surprise that clubs of a higher reputation than the Championship side continue to circle around his signature.

As highlighted above, this isn't the first time that the Light Blues have expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old, having seen multiple bids dismissed by his former club, Swansea, at a time when former Sunderland boss, Michael Beale, was in the Ibrox hotseat.

And despite a change in manager since then in the form of Phillipe Clement, the side who finished second in the SPFL last season have rekindled their interest in Whittaker, seeing a bid in excess of £7m, through add-ons, turned down for the player.

Despite being knocked back initially in their pursuit, it is expected that the Scottish giants will submit a second bid as soon as possible, with Whittaker said to be extremely keen on a move to the side who start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the Third Qualifying Round.

Further interest in Morgan Whittaker may scupper Rangers deal

Unsurprisingly, Rangers aren't the only club in recent weeks keeping tabs on the man who netted 18 times for Argyle upon their return to the second tier last term.

Premier League outfits in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford were said to have joined the race for the winger's signature, alongside the likes of VfB Stuttgart and Celta Vigo.

Meanwhile, Serie A giants Lazio are also re-igniting their interest in Whittaker across this summer, after seeing a reported £8.5m bid turned down by Plymouth in the January transfer window whilst Ian Foster was in charge at Home Park.

Since taking the reins in Devon, Rooney has often been quizzed about the club's stance on the man he worked with at Derby County, before sanctioning his exit to South Wales.

he recently told the Plymouth Herald.

"Of course, if you are getting crazy offers as a club you have to look at that, but we want him here. We want him to be part of the squad."

Plymouth Argyle must stand firm amid previous Morgan Whittaker valuation

Whittaker is currently tied down to a contract which runs until the summer of 2027, giving the club hierarchy significant power around the strong exit talk for their star performer.

It was previously revealed in January by Football Insider that Brentford and Fulham "could have" had a £15m accepted for Whittaker's services, both of which failed to materialise.

It wouldn't be a surprise if this initial bid from Rangers was an attempt to test Plymouth's resolve just months after rejecting a slightly stronger cash influx from Lazio, but it will take an exceptionally stronger amount of funds to see Whittaker depart, regardless of his keenness to join Clement's outfit.