Liverpool supporters are hoping for a busy January as they aim to correct their course for the season.
It has been a rocky campaign for the Reds, and despite the summer spending spree causing some of their problems, supporters are keen to throw more money at the problem this winter.
One of the key areas for improvement has been in midfield, where Liverpool have been far too easy to play through at times.
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Austria's Ifeanyi Ndukwe celebrates after scoring during the FIFA U17 World Cup match against England (Credit: Getty Images/Jurij Kodrun - FIFA).
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DOB: 03/03/2008
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Although Arne Slot has some world-class options at his disposal, there does feel to be something missing.
For many Liverpool fans, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is the obvious answer. And according to journalist Ben Jacobs, the 21-year-old could be attainable for a remarkably low fee in 2026.
Adam Wharton could leave Crystal Palace for bargain fee
Comfortable on the ball yet tenacious in the tackle, it is easy to see why Wharton is so highly rated in England.
The former Blackburn Rovers man is one of the nation’s top talents and it has been clear for some time that he is heading right for the top.
Adam Wharton spreads his arms during Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Fulham at Selhurst Park.
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Liverpool have been credited with a strong interest in Wharton virtually since he joined Palace in 2024, and speaking to TalkSPORT, Jacobs says the midfielder has an agreement with his club which could see him move on for £60-65m.
“Adam Wharton is probably a summer saga as far as I’m aware,” said the journalist. “It’s quite a fluid situation, as of now it’s not [Oliver] Glasner related. Some of the players are aware that Glasner could leave at the end of the season but Palace have got European football and they’re on track to get it again.
“Wharton’s number one priority imminently in his career is ideally to go and play Champions League football. If Palace they somehow qualify for the Champions League and Glasner leaves, Wharton might be a bit more patient.”
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Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge pictured during the UEFA Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon de Portugal at Jose Alvalade Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey).
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“Palace want to get him to sign a new deal, keep him for the summer and then make it a saga for 2027. But if that doesn’t happen, there’s a gentlemen’s agreement to my understanding for about £60-65m that Wharton could go if a Champions League club comes calling, but I’m not expecting any movement in January.”
Will Liverpool be front-runners for Wharton?
After what happened with Marc Guehi last summer, Liverpool may be slightly wary of ‘gentleman’s agreements’ Crystal Palace have with any of their players about leaving the club.
Nevertheless, if Wharton is obtainable for the fee Jacobs mentions, then it seems very likely that the Reds will be in the picture.
Reports have previously suggested that Man United would love to sign Wharton ahead of Liverpool, and it is probable that all of the Premier League’s top clubs will be looking at him.
That may make it more difficult for Liverpool to get him to Anfield, but at £60m, they are likely to at least try.
Either way, this is seemingly not a topic for January. But if stories linking Wharton to the Reds ramp up in the months leading up to the summer, this could really be one to watch.
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