Unhappy Morgan Whittaker will have a smile on his face this morning as he joins Plymouth Argyle on a permanent transfer.

Morgan Whittaker hasn’t looked the picture of happiness over the past seven months since his recall from Plymouth Argyle in January. His non inclusion on a regular basis in Russell Martin’s Swans side not aiding his overall demeanour, but then he did have a better player ahead of him in Joel Piroe. Despite that and an in form Liam Cullen weighing in with goals he did as he was asked and got his head down with no disciplinary issues. The writing was on the wall for Morgan even during the training in camp in Spain where the squad were pushed to the limit in the pursuit of extreme fitness.

It just didn’t seem to be his bag.

A tireless work rate is what Duff demands from his players for his system to work and it may be Whittaker’s languid style that undermines him to some extent, but a smile was often missing. He is now set to be the Pilgrims most expensive signing in their history far exceeding the half a million they paid out in 2008 for Steven Maclean. The details are believed to be one million pounds down with add ons. So, are the Swans kicking themselves refusing to deal with Glasgow Rangers in January who were reported to be offering more ? As we all know the structure of deals is as important, if not more than the overall fee at times. Better to have a million and a half in the bank immediately than a bit up front - then waiting for a year for another million which will be sat in a rivals bank account earning interest.

As in all situations like this a sell on and appearance fee is surely also included for Morgan. He did enjoy a very decent lifestyle in Swansea, his luxury club apartment he shared with his girlfriend a place of sanctuary during what would have been a frustrating time for him this year.

It is fact he is joining a smaller club, and that’s a credit to him, he has no real guarantee of success at Plymouth, they are newly promoted and don’t have the capital or league placing the Swans have enjoyed over the past twenty years.

His leaving this summer isn’t a surprise but it will have been accelerated by Duff and Sporting Director Paul Watson to enable a more suitable replacement. The fee added to Michael Obafemi’s will far exceed five million with only half of that at this time spent by the Swans. Yes, the maths are far more in depth than that, but that’s the player in and out tally to date. And of course Morgan was a first team squad player which means his leaving alongside Joel Latibeaudiere, Ryan Manning and Kyle Joseph ticks him as the fourth player out with three in as it stands. And that in a squad which was in need of replenishment before all this occurred.

We do expect more players in, and hopefully not too much emphasis on the loan market this week as the new era becomes clearer.

Read our latest on a Swansea City new arrival that has not been reported yet, here —> ⚽️ Reinforcement incoming

More Swans news later in what has been a busy week already for Swansea City.

Photograph Open Source