While a deal looks nigh on impossible from Crystal Palace’s point of view this summer, Adam Wharton has become a firm target for Manchester United.
Indeed, the Red Devils’ interest in Wharton has come in the aftermath of their failed approach for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.
Baleba himself had privately green-lit a move to Old Trafford this summer, but Brighton made it clear to United in their brief talks that any potential transfer would set them back over £100 million. Having already sanctioned the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha, INEOS opted to drop their pursuit. For now, at least.
United drop Baleba pursuit to target Wharton
United have since been mulling over potential alternatives they could add to Ruben Amorim’s ranks, with Wharton fitting the bill of being a Premier League-proven talent like the board have been targeting this year.
However, Palace have now essentially rendered their midfield maestro off-limits. The Eagles are unwilling to lose another of their key talismans after Oliver Glasner confirmed Eberechi Eze had played his final game for the club ahead of an impending move to Arsenal.
Additionally, Marc Guehi continues to be heavily linked to Liverpool, and could still make the switch before deadline day.
Wharton poised to stay put at Palace this summer
21-year-old Wharton, hailed as an ‘exceptional’ midfielder by Micah Richards, is said to be content staying at Selhurst Park for the foreseeable future, as confirmed by transfer reporter Pete O’Rourke.
He told Football Insider on Friday afternoon: “It doesn’t surprise me that Manchester United are interested in Wharton.
“He’s on the list of a number of top clubs because he’s a top operator, and has proved that at Palace and broke into the England squad as well. It’d take a huge fee for them to even consider letting him go.
“They’re losing other players, Palace, so letting Adam Wharton go wouldn’t go down too well with Oliver Glasner.”
