Carlton Palmer, a pundit and former England player, has called Burnley’s decision to drop their interest in Morgan Whittaker a “huge boost” for Wayne Rooney and Plymouth Argyle.

The forward’s 19 goals for Plymouth during the 2023–24 Championship campaign, which were crucial to their survival, piqued the Clarets’ interest.

Back in the summer, Whittaker’s departure from Home Park seemed likely, and according to Football Insider, Burnley was “poised” to make a last-minute offer. However, the former Swansea City player ultimately stayed put.

As the season turns out to be incredibly challenging for both the player and the team, Whittaker has so far failed to rekindle his form from the previous year. The 23-year-old is scheduled to be sidelined until the new year due to a foot ailment, and he has only returned three goals in 15 games so far.

The combination of Whittaker’s decline in play and the injury he is currently recovering from has deterred Burnley from making a January move, as Football League World exclusively disclosed on Tuesday. The winger is reportedly not high on Scott Parker’s list of transfer priorities.

Carlton Palmer labels Burnley’s averted Morgan Whittaker transfer interest as a “huge boost” for Plymouth Argyle, Wayne Rooney

Palmer thinks Plymouth, who are battling to win the Championship for the second consecutive year, will benefit greatly from Burnley’s new position on Whittaker.

“Good news for Wayne Rooney and Plymouth Argyle that Burnley are not expected to reignite their interest in Morgan Whittaker,” Palmer told Football League World in an exclusive interview.

“For Plymouth and their chances of remaining in the Championship this season, it’s a significant boost. Burnley may believe they need players who are healthy and ready to go, but I’m not sure if Whittaker’s injury is the reason. The January transfer market is coming up soon.

“However, Whittaker scored a tonne of goals for Plymouth last season to keep them in the Championship, and they’ll be hoping he can do it again and lead them to safety once he’s fully recovered. Wayne Rooney is thrilled to hear this, but I have no doubt that he will continue to try to sign a player throughout the transfer window.

“Obviously, your attention is turned when top-tier teams are interested in you, but as a center-forward playing for a manager with Rooney’s playing history, you’d be insane to walk on from that just yet.

Whittaker must therefore finish this season and receive additional coaching from Rooney in the hopes that he will be able to come back to full fitness and score goals to assist Plymouth escape.”

Plymouth Argyle, Wayne Rooney need Morgan Whittaker to deliver in 2025

In the summer, Plymouth could have made a good amount of money for Whittaker, who they signed from Swansea in 2023 for a mere £1 million. They chose to keep him in Devon, but whenever he regains his peak level of fitness, they will need more evidence to support their bullish approach.

With a miserable run of three straight losses smothering the relative optimism and hope that had been created at the beginning of the season under Rooney, the Pilgrims’ chances of surviving already seem dwindling.

They will be anxious for Whittaker to quickly return to his 23/24 form if they have any chance of escaping the relegation zone and remaining in the top division at the end of the season, as it does not bode well for their goals or Rooney’s future as manager.