The 3 Plymouth Argyle players who could attract serious transfer interest this summer | OneFootball

After staying in the Championship by the skin of their teeth in the most recent campaign, Plymouth Argyle will be looking to assess their options this summer ahead of another season in the second tier.

The Greens have had a number of standout performers over the past 12 months, especially in the first half of the season where they took to their new surroundings with a much-admired fearlessness.

As such, the Devon side will be expecting plenty of interest in their most prized assets during the off-season, with decisions having to be made about whether to stick or twist in their negotiations.

Here we take a look at a few of the stars likely to be attracting interest throughout the summer, and what the best decision would be for the Home Park hierarchy.

1 Morgan Whittaker

It is no surprise that Morgan Whittaker is the first name on this list, with the left-footed whizz having been the name on everyone’s lips earlier in the season.

The 23-year-old was said to be the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs in the January transfer window, with Brentford and Fulham both said to be keen, as well as Italian giants Lazio.

The Pilgrims were said to have put a £15 million price tag on their star man to fend off any interest over the winter, and director of football Neil Dewsnip is expecting more interest over the summer.

He said: “I think the first half of the season he was absolutely outstanding.

“He has contributed brilliantly in the second half but he probably hasn't been quite as potent - not as many goals, not as many chances.

“He finished on 20 goals, that's some contribution for any club in the Championship.

"Good for Morgan. Will there be interest in him? I'm sure there will be. Good players are at a premium in the Championship.

“Even in the Premier League, so we will have to wait and see what develops.”

Those comments from Dewsnip seem to leave the door open for Whittaker to leave in the summer, and a departure from the club could help Argyle ahead of the next campaign.

With an eight-figure fee being mooted, the Greens could invest a lot of that back into the playing squad for the next campaign, and gather three or four experienced Championship players to add to their ranks.

Those who saw the former Swansea City man in the second half of the season would have seen his drop off in effectiveness, with his performances a shadow of those from the early part of the campaign.

Whether it was the weight of expectation on his shoulders following the departures of fellow creators Finn Azaz and Luke Cundle or a poor run of form, Argyle should cash in while Whittaker’s stock is highest and reinvest in the playing squad ahead of next term.

2 Ryan Hardie

There were question marks over Ryan Hardie’s ability at Championship level after the Pilgrims’ promotion last season, but the Scot answered them in the only way he knew how to: Goals.

The former Blackpool man had never played above the third tier in England before this season, but started the campaign on fire with five goals in his first six appearances.

With his gangly stride and deceptive pace, Hardie’s work rate and desire has contributed to many a goal or chance being created during his four years at Home Park, a time that spans all three divisions of the English Football League.

The forward finished on 12 league goals for the campaign, although a barren spell of 12 matches without a goal to end the season was frustrating for player, club and fanbase.

But when he is in form, the Scot has the poise and confidence to sit defenders down and find the net from all angles, just as he did with a superb lobbed finish against Sunderland earlier in the year, as well as a curled effort in the 2-0 defeat of Middlesbrough weeks later.

His commitment to the cause is something that can never be questioned, as well as his ability to bring teammates into play when forming attacks, and that could see teams higher up the division cast an eye over him this summer.

Not only could fellow EFL clubs show an interest, but with Hardie coming up through the ranks at Rangers, if the Scottish giants came in for him this summer both player and club would struggle to turn them down.

Despite his dry stint at the end of the campaign, Hardie has proven himself to be more than capable at this level, and keeping hold of him would be a great piece of business by Argyle, with his goalscoring ability as good as any when he is back on form.

3 Mike Cooper

Mike Cooper’s influence on the team was plain to see when he returned to the starting lineup in October following a long-term knee injury, with the goalkeeper a reassuring presence in between the sticks.

The 24-year-old has long been touted as a Premier League player in the making, and after performing so well in his first season at Championship level, clubs may be looking to take a punt on him this summer.

Not only have his cat-like reflexes got Argyle out of trouble on numerous occasions over the years, but the glovesman’s ability with his feet really adds another dimension to the Pilgrims’ game when he is on the field.

On top of that, his speed of distribution contributes massively to the speed in which the Devon side can spring one of their deadly counter-attacks; something which will have been duly noted by any onlooking parties.

With the desire for a goalkeeper to be just as good in possession as they are at repelling attacks these days, a player of Cooper’s quality will no doubt be attracting interest over the summer, although Argyle will be doing everything they can to keep hold of their academy graduate.

Argyle fans have seen the Devon lad mature in front of their faces, and would be heart-broken to see him leave the club this summer, after some of the heroics he has performed during time at the club.

The goalkeeper signed a contract extension with the club last summer, but it only lasts until 2025, meaning he is entering the last year of his deal which will open the door to a summer move away from the club.

Having been at Home Park since the age of nine, it would be a sad goodbye to one of their finest homegrown talents, and all fingers will be crossed that Cooper puts pen to paper to extend his time at the club.