Wayne Rooney gives Plymouth Argyle update on signings and departures
The Pilgrims have brought in five new players so far this season – Nathanael Ogbeta, Darko Gyabi, Muhamed Tijani, Ibrahim Cissoko and Victor Palsson
Wayne Rooney does not expect any more additions to his Plymouth Argyle squad before the final pre-season game away to League Two club MK Dons on Saturday.
The Pilgrims do have potential targets but in some cases they are having to be patient over them because of the situation at other clubs and the deals they are trying to do before they are ready to let players leave.
Argyle have already brought in five signings this summer – left-back Nathanael Ogbeta, midfielder Darko Gyabi, striker Muhamed Tijani, winger Ibrahim Cissoko and defender Victor Palsson, who made his first appearance in the 2-1 pre-season defeat away to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
There continues to be speculation about the futures of Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper and their 2023/24 player of the year Morgan Whittaker, with the latter reported to have been the subject of a second unsuccessful bid from Scottish Premiership club Rangers last week, according to Football Scotland.
Rooney emphatically stated after the game against Bristol Rovers that Cooper will be in Argyle’s squad for their 2024/25 Championship season-opener at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday week, August 11. The talented shot-stopper has been linked with Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.
The Pilgrims’ boss has consistently said throughout pre-season that he does not expect Cooper or Whittaker to leave Argyle any time soon.
When Rooney was asked by Plymouth Live whether there would be any more new signings before the game at MK Dons, he replied: “Probably not before Saturday, no. We are aware of certain players who potentially we want to bring to the club, and we will try to move on them but I think Saturday will be a little bit too early for that.”
He added: “The pleasing thing from our point of view is we got players in early so they have had the pre-season with us, but you always have to be alive and ready for players who potentially become available, and be ready to bring them in.