Crystal Palace are in contract talks with a key player in Oliver Glasner's side.placeholder image
Crystal Palace are in contract talks with a key player in Oliver Glasner's side. | Getty Images
Liverpool could be handed a major transfer blow as Crystal Palace contract talks emerge
Liverpool may be forced to regroup and consider their options in the January transfer window as the Reds’ Premier League title defence continues to falter under Arne Slot.
The idea of any further signings this season may seem unthinkable after over £400million was spent - not very effectively, as it currently appears - over the summer, but something may be done by Slot, be it on the training field or elsewhere.
The Reds are already eight points off the pace as Arsenal’s challenge for a first Premier League title in 22 years gathers steam, with Manchester City closing the gap on the Gunners with a convincing 3-0 victory over the champions on Sunday. Liverpool were far from their best on the day, despite encouraging victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, and the result suggested that the Reds are simply not at the level they want to be right now.
It will, therefore, come as discouraging news that a Reds target is reported to be in contract talks with Crystal Palace.
Fabrizio Romano: Crystal Palace enter contract talks with Adam Wharton
According to reports by Fabrizio Romano relayed by GiveMeSport, Crystal Palace have held talks with the representatives of England midfielder Adam Wharton, who has attracted significant interest in recent months from the likes of the Reds, Real Madrid and Manchester United. A ‘big proposal’ is reportedly expected, amidst claims that the 21-year-old recognises that Selhurst Park might be the best place for him to continue his development.
Romano said on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast: "They want to extend this contract. So Palace are on it. They've spoken already to his representative several times about this intention they have to give him a new contract. At the same time, let's see what's going to happen there, because the boy has been super professional already last summer, when he already had some kind of opportunity if he wanted to go. But for Palace, he was untouchable.
“Also, in the recent months, we had many rumours, and the boy, again, is behaving in a fantastic way. So Palace are super happy with Adam, and Adam is quite happy with Palace. He understands that he's probably at the best club to develop in this moment for him. But then in the summer, you never know, in case there is a big opportunity, a big financial proposal, we have to see what happens.
“So at the moment, there is this intention from Palace to give him a new contract, but we are not yet at the stage where we say, okay, it's guaranteed, because it's still early stages of the conversation."
Wharton would be perfect for Liverpool, who will hope talks stall
Viewed by many as one of the most promising deep-lying midfielders in the Premier League, if not Europe, Wharton could be ideal for Liverpool as the Reds look to form a super-team under Slot. Recently earning a much-overdue recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the November internationals, the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder is composed in possession, silky on the ball and tough in the tackle.
There are shades of Alexis Mac Allister in Wharton, who possesses many of the Argentine’s playmaking abilities from deep. Amidst reports that Real Madrid are considering a swoop for Mac Allister, Wharton would be the perfect replacement. Even if the 26-year-old World Cup winner does stick around at Anfield, the addition of Wharton would provide increased quality to a Liverpool squad currently looking light in numbers. Wharton could sign for the Reds alongside team-mate Marc Guehi, whose future remains up in the air at present.
GiveMeSport speculate the potential inclusion of a release clause in any prospective new contract for Wharton, which could make it even easier for him to depart in 2026. Particularly in a year defined by player power in the transfer market, a new deal is unlikely to stand in the way of the young midfielder if he desires a move to Anfield or elsewhere. At this stage, an eventual move for one of England’s brightest starlets appears an inevitability, so it will make interesting viewing how this story develops in the coming months.
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