Rangers will have Amad Diallo to blame if Sunderland now snatch £2m target

Mick Beale Rangers could face competition from Sunderland in the race to sign Swansea City’s Morgan Whittaker following Amad Diallo’s return to Manchester United.

The Glasgow giants may have a former Ibrox loanee to thank if Morgan Whittaker ends up at the Stadium of Light instead of Rangers.

Amad Diallo’s return to Manchester United following a scintillating loan spell at Sunderland leaves Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray with a void to fill approximately the size of the River Wear.

Whittaker, another left-footed right winger who likes to drift in from the flank, does at least possess some of the attributes that made Diallo such a fans’ favourite in red-and-white.

Celtic FC v Rangers FC - Cinch Scottish Premiership — Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

The Swansea benchwarmer scored nine times from assisted seven from that position during the first half of 2022/23 at Plymouth; his creativity, confidence and accurate long-range shooting likely to appeal to a Black Cats side hoping to reach the play-offs for the second season running.

Sports Illustrated report that Sunderland – beaten by Luton Town in the semi-finals – have ‘registered an interest’ in Whittaker.

Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher is likely to make a move of his own. Rangers are also expected to come calling again after seeing a number of bids – including one worth around £2 million – rejected by Swansea in January.

Will Rangers miss out on Morgan Whittaker to Sunderland?

“I’ve got a brilliant relationship with (Morgan Whittaker),” Swans boss Russell Martin – a former Ibrox defender – said at the time.

“I’ve had Rangers fans message me on LinkedIn saying ‘let him go’. I apologised to them saying ‘sorry I was crap at your club but it’s not my decision!’”

Martin is now set to leave Swansea and take over at Southampton. As such, Whittaker’s future is likely to remain up in the air until the identity of Martin’s successor is confirmed at the Liberty Stadium.

“(Whittaker) is a top, top young player. He can play wide right or just behind the striker. He scores important goals, he’s a great dribbler and carries the ball well. He’s a fluid player who links into the attack very well. And he’s got a fantastic left foot,” Jobi McAnuff, formerly of Cardiff, Crystal Palace and Watford, tells Sky Sports.

“I’m a little bit surprised by (the Rangers links). I thought there’d have been some real top-end Championship interest in him. He has that huge potential to go on and have a really good career.

“If Rangers pull this off it’s a brilliant signing for them.”