Exclusive: Middlesbrough Place £20m Price Tag on Morgan Whittaker Amid Fulham & Bournemouth Interest

Morgan Whittaker, the undisputed catalyst behind Middlesbrough’s relentless surge this season, has ignited a high-stakes transfer battle among Premier League heavyweights. 

The 25-year-old’s evolution into a prolific modern winger has transformed the Riverside Stadium into a primary hub for top-flight scouting delegations in recent weeks.

A Premier League Calibre Left Foot

According to high-level sources, scouts from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham, and AFC Bournemouth have been ever-present in the stands, specifically monitoring Whittaker during Boro’s last three league outings. The internal dossiers compiled by these observers describe Whittaker’s signature "cut-inside" threat from the right flank as "elite-level."

Bournemouth’s recruitment team, in particular, is said to be enamoured with his ability to dictate the tempo of the game under pressure, noting that he is far more than a mere "poacher." 

Fulham view Whittaker as the ideal successor to Welsh winger Harry Wilson, who has yet to commit to a new contract and could leave the club on a free at the end of the season if an agreement isn’t reached in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Wolves hierarchy has received reports praising Whittaker’s physical durability and "engine," suggesting he possesses the necessary attributes to transition seamlessly into the high-intensity environment of the Premier League.

Additionally, Boro have reportedly tabled an eight-figure bid for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong, suggesting they may already be preparing for life without Whittaker.

The Valuation

The £20 Million Barrier Middlesbrough’s board has adopted a firm stance regarding their prized asset's market value. 

The club has reportedly slapped a £20 million price tag on the winger to ward off low-ball offers. 

However, the Boro hierarchy remains reluctant to sanction a sale during the January window, even if their valuation is met. 

The consensus between the Chairman and the coaching staff is clear: selling the "engine room" of their attack during a promotion charge would be a gamble they aren't willing to take.

The blueprint for Whittaker’s future is inextricably linked to Middlesbrough’s final league standing. If Boro secures a return to the Premier League, Whittaker will be declared "not for sale." In this scenario, the club plans to offer him a lucrative, long-term contract extension tailored to top-flight standards.

Whittaker’s own sense of loyalty to the club aligns with this vision. However, should the club fall short of the promotion spots by May, Boro is expected to yield to an astronomical bid from the likes of Bournemouth or Fulham, allowing the player to make his deserved step up to the elite level.