Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has outlined his ambitions to play Champions League soccer as Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United circle the England international
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
13:54, 26 Jan 2026
Adam Wharton continues to be linked with Liverpool
Adam Wharton continues to be linked with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Adam Wharton has made it abundantly clear to interested parties, including Liverpool, what he desires should he depart Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot will be encouraged by the knowledge that his club may well be in a position to deliver it. The England talent is increasingly being touted for a summer switch to Anfield amid growing speculation about a potential departure from Selhurst Park.
But the Reds are merely one of several Premier League heavyweights believed to be monitoring the player's situation. The 21-year-old joined Palace from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024 and has rapidly risen to become one of England's most exciting prospects.
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It appears he's determined to maintain that upward trajectory, having previously identified Champions League soccer as the natural progression in his career.
"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."
Wharton wants to play Champions League soccer
Wharton wants to play Champions League soccer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's prospects of securing Champions League qualification for next season suffered a blow on Saturday following the team's last-gasp loss at Bournemouth.
Slot's men have now dropped to sixth in the Premier League table and haven't tasted victory in any of their previous five top-flight fixtures.
The Reds find themselves two points behind Manchester United in fourth and a point behind Chelsea in fifth.
Worryingly for Slot and his players, United and Chelsea have both recently changed their managers, bringing in Michael Carrick and Liam Rosenior, respectively. Those changes seem to have done the trick, with both teams recording back-to-back victories.
Liverpool must finish fourth or win the Champions League to secure qualification for next season. A fifth-placed finish might also be enough, but that will depend on how English teams perform overall in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
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Wharton has already secured three senior caps for England and is eyeing a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup 2026 squad.
This ambition could potentially slow down any transfer activity this summer, especially considering the player's reported valuation of over £80 million ($109.3 million).
Manchester United and Manchester City are both rumored to be interested in securing Wharton's services, posing significant competition.