Manchester City transfer news has taken another turn after the club dropped interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to CaughtOffside on September 18. The report says City enquired about the 22-year-old during the summer, but Palace refused to make him available. City then completed a major midfield rebuild with Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson.
CaughtOffside now reports that those arrivals have effectively ended City’s pursuit of Wharton, who remains contracted at Selhurst Park until 2029. Wharton has started all four Premier League matches this season, playing 347 minutes. He added an assist from a corner for Chris Richards against Lech Poznan on September 17, when Palace won 4-0.
He has made six appearances across competitions, with 468 minutes and one assist. Palace manager Pierre Sage had urged Wharton to stay for another year, arguing that continued development at Selhurst Park would benefit both player and club.
Why have Manchester City ended the Adam Wharton pursuit?
Wharton’s early numbers show why City considered him. He gives Palace a reliable first pass, receives under pressure and seeks vertical options between midfield and attack. His current Premier League record includes 121 completed passes from 156 attempts, eight tackles, five interceptions and seven clearances.
Yet the Englishman’s playing style has limits. His recovery speed and upper-body strength can look vulnerable during frantic transitions, while aggressive vertical passing can surrender possession; he has recorded nine such losses in early domestic play.
City’s recruitment changed the equation. Rodri left for Barcelona, Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid, and Tijjani Reijnders moved to Al-Qadsiah, leaving major midfield gaps. City answered with three different profiles. Fernandez brings experience, passing range and tempo control.
Anderson adds running power, physical presence and ball carrying, while Bouaddi gives Enzo Maresca a young defensive midfield option. City paid £125m for Fernandez, while Anderson cost a reported £116m and Bouaddi joined for £81.4m plus £4.3m in add-ons. That spread matters under squad-cost rules.
Wharton would still offer press resistance and progressive passing, and I can see why City kept him on their list. However, Palace’s refusal removed the immediate route, while City’s spending reduced the need for another expensive central midfielder.
Earlier reports placed Palace’s valuation around £80m-£100m, making another fee harder to justify after three midfield additions. For Manchester City transfer news, the key issue now is how Maresca balances Fernandez, Anderson and Bouaddi rather than whether City return for Wharton.
