Liverpool transfer target Adam Wharton has laid out precisely what he's looking for if he's to leave Crystal Palace this summer
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace arrives at the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace at Moss Rose Ground
Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton has outlined one of his criteria if he's to leave for a club like Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Adam Wharton has long since informed suitors Liverpool what it is he's looking for in the event he leaves Crystal Palace. And Arne Slot will be boosted by the fact it's something his club may be able to offer.
The England gem is being increasingly linked with a move to Anfield this summer as talk grows over a potential Selhurst Park exit. However, the Reds are just one of numerous Premier League giants understood to be keeping tabs on the player.
Wharton, 21, moved to Palace from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024 and has quickly ascended to become one of England's greatest prospects. And he's eager to continue that trajectory, it seems, after highlighting Champions League football as the next logical step in his journey.
"Champions League, if you can play in it, you want to," the midfielder told Sky Sports last year. "I want to play as many games as I can in the Premier League and try reach the highest level possible. There is a World Cup in the summer, and everyone wants to play in it."
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Liverpool's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League took a hit on Saturday thanks to their last-second defeat at Bournemouth. Slot's side have now slipped to sixth in the Premier League and have failed to win any of their last five Premier League outings.
Wharton has already earned three senior caps for England and is targeting a spot in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup 2026 squad. That could impact the momentum of any transfer to take place this summer, with the player supposedly valued at more than £80million.
Manchester United and Manchester City have been closely linked with Wharton's signature and would provide stiff competition. City have already pipped Liverpool to one Palace talisman after signing Marc Guehi this month and could look to repeat the manoeuvre by recruiting Wharton, too.
Adam Wharton playing for Crystal Palace
Wharton has emerged as a Premier League revelation, going from strength to strength amid rumours of Liverpool's interest(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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To his credit, Wharton at least tries to steer clear of speculation concerning his future and who may be interested in his services. In fact, it's often family of friends who educate him on matters regarding his own potential career moves.
"I don’t really look into it or think too much about it," he said in November. "There are always rumours floating about on social media. Is it true? Is it not? You tell me. My friends, my family, my brothers, everyone will message me and be like, ‘Is it true this club’s interested?’ I’m like, 'Thanks for telling me because I didn’t know.'"
He continued: "I don’t know who’s spreading it or who at United is looking at it. I see it and I’m like, ‘OK’, and then I carry on with my day. United, the big teams, they’re all linked to 10, 20 different players. If I’m one of 20, then it’s nothing special, so it doesn’t really mean too much. I speak with my agent about planning ahead and possibilities.
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"But at the end of the day, it is who’s interested and who’s willing to try and get you and if that becomes the case? You can speak about it, but you’ve got to represent that on the pitch and prove that you deserve it."
Those comments hint at the same muted modesty that have brought Wharton to this point in his career. Keeping his head down and allowing his football to do the talking hasn't worked out too badly thus far after all.