Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Tue 30 January 2024 6:50, UK

Talent-spotters from Fulham and Brentford watched Plymouth Argyle star Morgan Whittaker in action against Leeds on Saturday (27 January), sources told Football Insider.

The 23-year-old is attracting attention midway through his standout season in the Championship with Argyle.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month (17 January) that Fulham, West Ham and Brentford are in the race for Whittaker.

However, it was scouts from west London rivals Fulham and Brentford in attendance at Elland Road on Saturday as Argyle drew 1-1 against Leeds to force an FA Cup fifth-round replay in Devon.

It is believed the two clubs are still monitoring Whittaker’s situation and could make a late move for the attacker before Thursday’s (1 February) transfer deadline.

Understandably, Plymouth are reluctant to lose the red-hot winger so late in the mid-season window.

Whittaker has hit 16 goals and seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions for Argyle so far this season.

He is second (15 goals) only to Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics (16 goals) in the race for the Championship’s top scorer award.

The 23-year-old returned to Plymouth permanently last summer (2023) after seeing a successful loan spell at Home Park cut short by Swansea just months earlier.

It has been widely reported that the ex-Swans star cost Argyle a club-record fee of just £1million plus add-ons.

The Devon club now stand to land a huge profit on Whittaker if he makes the move to the Premier League.

Fulham and Brentford sit 13th and 14th respectively in the top flight and need more firepower if they are to push into the top half.

Meanwhile, Whittaker’s Plymouth side sit 15th in the Championship and have built an eight-point buffer to the bottom three.

In other news, Fulham in race to sign defender from London rivals.

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