Lincoln City seem determined to get the signature of Morgan Whittaker at the earliest opportunity as the transfer window opens in just eight weeks time, work is already underway to resurrect the late August deal so he can move on January 1st.
The original deal was rubber stamped on August 28th with Morgan keen to leave the swans for the rest of the season. He was fully aware at the time, and even more so now he wasn’t going to feature in Russell Martin’s immediate first team plans. However, he will feature for the under 23 swans side in the coming weeks. Having struggled initially with the new managers training philosophy, and determination for him to be the player he wants to be every day, and display that in training sessions was a difficult change for the young player. It wasn’t only him though, a number of players took a lot of time to trust Russell Martin’s driven vision for the club.
In recent weeks that change in mindset is beginning to be seen on the pitch.
Liam Cullen, who seems to be more in favour than Morgan at this time has been handed numerous chances off the bench this season but has failed to live up to expectations. Surprisingly if a loan opportunity was to be offered the club would leave that decision to him. Joel Piroe and Michael Obafemi are the clear first choice striker picks for Martin so any game time for Cullen is going to be brief barring injuries, and even less so for Morgan Whittaker.
Speaking to his local newspaper, Lincoln Live Jez George, the imps director of football said "There were one or two loans that we got really close to, who we’d love to bring in, in January, and we’d love to do that really early in January " Sources we have at the swans have indicated that the leg work has nearly been completed for Morgan to go north in January for a five month loan. That of course would explain his non inclusion in match day squads, but of course Martin realises he has to play in matches or Lincoln will be signing an unfit ‘in match terms‘ player. Hence his under 23 decision for Morgan, as well as Liam Cullen and a handful of other first team squad players.
Jez George added,"But it depends on the availability of the players and their circumstances at their clubs. Our job is to keep in constant dialogue with those players’ parent clubs and put ourselves in the best possible position. Ultimately, factors out of our control will determine whether those players are available.” The fall down in Lincoln not getting Morgan in August was the swans failure to sign Leeds United striker Sam Greenwood. The ex Sunderland and Arsenal academy player was felt to be too important to leave the club in August. Manager Bielsa is a huge admirer of the player, however we do know negotiations, albeit tentatively have been instigated by the swans yet again. If successful this will lead to Whittaker leaving on loan. Leeds United have already stated Greenwood is not for sale, and Lincoln City are not in the position to purchase Morgan Whittaker who is valued highly in monetary terms by Swansea City.
Swansea City will be hoping this third attempt to sign Greenwood will come to fruition. If not there are two other loans, and one possible purchase the club through Andy Scott and Mark Allen have their sights on.
Sam Greenwood has played for England at five international levels
Jez George does as well, but is realistic, "You have to create multiple options. Equally, it’s difficult to have multiple options that are affordable, good enough for what we want and are available.” If the swans and Leeds United do agree terms then you can be rest assured Morgan Whittaker will leave for Lincoln, and Sam Greenwood will be at the swans from January until the end of the season. If not him it is almost certain a quality back up striker will be signed to strengthen the swans for the rest of the season,
Has Morgan Whittaker been given a fair crack of the whip this season ? Let us know below or on our football forum.