Morgan Whittaker: Rangers' bid turned down, says Swansea boss Russell Martin

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Morgan Whittaker said he was devastated to see his loan spell at Plymouth cut short after impressing at Home Park

Swansea City forward Morgan Whittaker looks set to stay with the Championship club despite interest from Scottish giants Rangers.

Manager Russell Martin said Whittaker would be in Swansea's squad to face Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday.

Should he take to the field it would put an end to a move in January.

Whittaker has already played for Plymouth on loan and rules state players are not allowed to represent more than two clubs in a season.

But should Whittaker be an unused substitute, he would still be allowed to leave south Wales.

Martin confirmed Swansea had turned down a bid for the 22-year-old last week, with the offer understood to have been well short of the asking price set by Swansea's American owners.

Rangers boss Michael Beale is targeting attacking players this month and said Whittaker is "certainly a player that I'm aware of".

League One Ipswich Town are also believed to have shown interest.

Whittaker has had a limited impact at Swansea since joining from Derby County for around 拢700,000 in February 2021.

But the Rams academy product displayed his potential during a loan spell at Plymouth this season, where he scored nine goals and provided seven assists before being recalled by Swansea earlier this month.

Speaking ahead of Swansea's trip to Loftus Road on Saturday, Martin said: "He is in the squad tomorrow.

"We have had bids, we've rejected bids, they are quite a way from the club's valuation of Morgan.

"We need to draw a line under it, Morgan is in agreement, he is in the squad and we look forward to having him in the squad."

Swansea have also rejected January offers for Michael Obafemi, understood to be from Burnley, and Jamie Paterson.

"Pato and Michael is pretty much the same situation as I said on Tuesday night," said Martin.

"We have had bids for Michael but they are short of the valuation that we have for him, with Pato there is lots of interest, but no firm offers yet.

"No-one is selling anyone on the cheap - they are good players," Martin added.