Manchester United and Liverpool among clubs circling an in-demand midfielder

Crystal Palace are in an unusually strong position this summer, and much of that confidence comes from one player. According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Manchester United face competition from Chelsea and Liverpool for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with Chelsea and Liverpool described as “very much interested” in completing a deal. Both Premier League giants are reportedly planning a summer move for the England international, setting up what could become one of the most closely followed transfer stories of the window.

Adam Wharton: Manchester United and Liverpool Eye Crystal Palace Midfielder in Summer Transfer Battle

Wharton, born on 6 February 2004, came through the Blackburn Rovers academy before Crystal Palace signed him in February 2024 on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a reported initial fee of £18 million. His progress since arriving at Selhurst Park has been remarkable. He started all 15 of Palace’s remaining league fixtures in his debut half-season and later started the FA Cup final against Manchester City in May 2025, helping his side secure a 1–0 victory that delivered the club’s first major trophy.

Wharton’s contract runs until June 2029, placing Crystal Palace in a strong negotiating position. The Guardian has reported that Palace value him at more than £80 million, while their asking price is regularly mentioned at a base of £65 million, with the fee potentially rising to between £80 million and £100 million because of the growing interest.

United view Wharton as a possible replacement for Casemiro, who is expected to leave at the end of the season, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants him to challenge Ryan Gravenberch for a place in the starting XI. Wharton’s agent, James Featherstone, has already said publicly that playing Champions League football is an important step in his client’s long-term aim of becoming a regular in the England squad.

This season, Wharton has recorded five assists across all competitions, clocked 2,144 minutes on the pitch, and averaged a FotMob rating of 7.06. He averages 2.47 tackles and 0.96 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League, while also contributing 1.43 clearances per game along with a passing accuracy of 79.48 per cent and 1.30 key passes per outing. His expected assists figure of 0.25 per 90 minutes places him above 91 per cent of Premier League players in his position.

Will Adam Wharton Finally Leave Crystal Palace for a Top Premier League Club This Summer?

There are reports of a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between Wharton and Crystal Palace that could make him available for a fee in the £60–65 million range, which, considering the level of interest, appears relatively modest. His strengths are clear: excellent positional awareness, a reliable passing range, composure under pressure, and a level of maturity that is rare for a 22-year-old. He reads the game early, protects the backline intelligently, and contributes going forward more consistently than many defensive midfielders of a similar age.

His weaknesses, however, also deserve attention. He has collected six yellow cards and one red card in 26 Premier League appearances this season, which suggests he can sometimes commit too aggressively in challenges. His passing accuracy of under 80 per cent also sits slightly below the standard usually expected at the very top level, and Crystal Palace’s current struggles mean he has not regularly played in the kind of high-possession, high-pressure systems used by elite clubs.

Of the three suitors, Liverpool appear the most logical destination. Wharton is reportedly interested in a move to Anfield, and Slot’s system would likely suit his style far better than Manchester United’s unsettled and transitional setup under Ruben Amorim. Chelsea, despite their interest, already have Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo as their main midfield pairing, which would make Wharton’s path to regular minutes far less clear. A summer move now looks increasingly likely. Palace are expected to sell, and Liverpool may need to act quickly.