Manchester City will need to pay a “significant fee” for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.
The Eagles see the 21-year-old as a “generational talent” akin to Arsenal’s Declan Rice or Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, and speaking to TBRFootball, Bailey said he won’t be sold on the cheap:
“Whilst not putting a £100m price-tag on Wharton’s head. Palace firmly believe they have a player on par with anything in the world for his age, and I don’t think many would argue.”
Most Read on Man City News
“Palace know when he does move he will command a significant fee.”
There will be competition for Wharton
The England international’s performances are attracting plenty of attention, and it has been reported that Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the player.
City have been keeping tabs on Wharton for the best part of eighteen months at this point, having been linked with the player first all the way back in June 2024, but they have never formalised their interest.
A release clause could make things easier for Man City
The cost of signing Wharton has likely put off Pep Guardiola’s side from making a formal bid up until now, but a recent claim by the BBC has suggested that there could be a chance to sign him for a reasonable price if the midfielder signs a new contract.
Reliable journalist Sami Mokbel has claimed that a buyout fee could be included in a new deal, although it would still be at least £75m.
Negotiations over a contract extension have not reached an advanced stage yet, and Palace are under no pressure to move fast in talks, with Wharton currently set to stay at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2029.
Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here