It nearly happened at the end of the previous transfer window, it seemed Morgan Whittaker was primed to leave SA1. Then it collapsed, and Imps chief executive Liam Scully displayed his disappointment at the end of August. Speaking openly he stated he was ‘ disappointed at best ‘ with the way the loan deal, or lack of it ended.
Lincoln City were awaiting the completion of another incoming deal by the swans last August before Whittaker could join Lincoln. When Michael Obafemi was signed from Southampton they believed that this would be the catalyst for Morgan to up sticks and join them. Unfortunately it didn’t happen, with Russell Martin new in post, and his coaching team settling into things in Swansea he was reluctant to let the ex Derby player leave. So, the deal didn’t happen.
Morgan Whittaker bagged a hatrick against Plymouth in the League Cup
Since then Jez George, Lincoln City director of football has been in close contact with his opposite number at the swans, Mark Allen. Just before business closed on Christmas Eve we understand the transfer was agreed ‘ in principle’ pending normal clearances, and a few loose ends. Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton is pretty happy too as he has been facing a bit of pressure from Lincoln’s fans this season. Securing Whittaker was an absolute priority for him. We understand the initial contract is a loan with an option to buy Morgan, although the imps don’t have huge financial muscle as we speak.
Lincoln Chairman Clive Nates has continually impressed upon the clubs fans the need to just ‘survive’ as the Covid crisis continues to wreck football clubs fixtures and income streams. Speaking in the summer he said "When last season was called off and positions were determined on points per game, we then had to look at players whose contracts were coming to an end. We basically decided at that point there was too much uncertainty to renew any of their contracts. At that point it was very much survival.”
Clive Nates, pictured left, Lincoln Chairman
So it is highly unlikely unless the landscape changes for Nates they will be able to afford Whittaker, who the swans would accept around 500k in any transfer out. All this despite paying more for him when he signed from Derby. However swans fans must remember if Morgan does well at Sincil Bank he will alert other clubs as well. He is almost certain to start the majority of first team games for the rest of the season. This deal doesn’t rely on any players coming in to Swansea City on this occasion. We know Russell Martin has made it more than clear players will be shipped out. Morgan, who sadly has failed to impress Martin is one of them. It will come as a surprise he hasn’t impressed though, he hasn’t been given that much game time, and when he has, he has scored goals.
Of course, behind the scenes is another issue.
As it stands this Boxing Day morning, and if our sources are right it seems Morgan Whittaker is on his way in January to Lincoln City, and this time we hope everything goes smoothly for him and the imps. Sitting around twiddling his thumbs and playing the odd under 23 game is hardly going to enhance his enthusiasm to play for the swans, so he is best to try his hand elsewhere.
Enjoy your cold turkey, if that of course is your choice today. Either way that will be the only option football wise as the swans now have no scheduled fixture until January 3rd, 2022.
More transfer news as we get it.