TBR Football understand Tottenham made an attempt to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
Spurs and Crystal Palace had already engaged in talks over the signing of Eberechi Eze – which looked set to materialise for a sum of £68m until Arsenal hijacked the move.
Tottenham and the Eagles also discussed a loan deal for Manor Solomon on transfer deadline day, before the south Londoners pulled the plug late on and the Israel international later joined Villarreal instead.
TBR Football can now share details of another discussion between Tottenham and Crystal Palace involving Adam Wharton.
Exclusive: Tottenham made approach for Adam Wharton along with Manchester United
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – has been told that both Tottenham and Manchester United asked about the England international in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
We understand neither Wharton nor Crystal Palace were looking to entertain a move, with the central midfielder focused on making the England squad for the World Cup and having a strong season with the Eagles.
Sources add that Chelsea and Real Madrid had conversations about the Crystal Palace No.20 in August, but both sides were met with the same response as Tottenham and Manchester United – who watched Wharton play against Chelsea recently.
Liverpool, Bayern Munich and PSG are also believed to be following Wharton – an £18m signing from Blackburn in January 2024 – closely.
Bailey told TBR Football: “Wharton is one of those generational players where Europe’s big clubs are in regular contact – they don’t want to miss out.
“Palace are firm in their response, they never entertained the prospect of a departure this summer and they made that known.
“I am told the player himself and his people are aware of the interest, but there are no signs of him wanting to leave. He is focused on having a full season with Palace and making England’s World Cup squad. That’s it.
“Palace and Wharton know if he continues his progress there will be big moves in the future, but that is for then and not now.”
Adam Wharton gesture said it all
When the aforementioned Eze found himself in the spotlight, Sky Sports sent reporters to sniff around the Crystal Palace training ground to investigate.
Gary Cotterill also caught a glimpse of Wharton, who tapped the Crystal Palace badge after overhearing Sky Sports speculating about his future as well.
It may have just appeared to be a cheeky gesture from the 21-year-old, but it aligns with how he genuinely feels about Crystal Palace at this moment in time.