Liverpool are reportedly continuing to pursue a move for Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, as they look to beat Real Madrid to his signature.
The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the country currently, shining with his classy performances for the Eagles in recent years.
Wharton has been linked with a move to Liverpool numerous times of late, with the Premier League champions looking to bring in a superb long-term option in the middle of the park.
Now, a report from Spain claims that the Reds have “decided to go with everything” to sign the Englishman this summer, and are willing to pay as much as £86.7m to sign him.
Madrid are also keen on bringing him in at the end of the season, but they appear to be wary of the threat that Liverpool are posing.
Wharton could be a future Liverpool star
Wharton has all the ingredients to be a magnificent signing for Liverpool, already performing at such a high level and being lauded by former teammate Eberechi Eze in the past:
“He’s an incredible player to play with. Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with. For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”
Admittedly, Wharton wouldn’t arrive at Liverpool on the cheap, given his potential and the fact that he is a homegrown player, but he could be worth every penny over time.
Assuming he reaches his high ceiling, avoiding serious injuries, he could be a perfect addition for the Reds, combining an ability to dictate the midfield with intelligence out of possession, averaging 2.4 tackles and 1.2 clearances per game in the Premier League this season.
The lure of Madrid is great for most players, but hopefully, Wharton still sees Liverpool as the most exciting proposition out of all the clubs who are interested in him.