Liverpool have been linked with signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and now former Mick Brown has given a fresh update on the situation.
At least one new face in the middle of the park is a must for the Reds this summer, with Alex Scott being mentioned as a possible target, potentially heading to Anfield alongside Andoni Iraola.
Wharton has also constantly been backed to join Liverpool ahead of next season, but speaking to Football Insider, Brown claimed that Palace may be “increasingly confident” of retaining the 22-year-old’s services:
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Wharton. I say it all the time with Crystal Palace, they have to be seen to be doing everything in their power to keep their best players at the club this summer.
“A lot will depend on the new manager, what he has planned for his team, which players he’s prepared to let go, and which players he wants to keep.
“Wharton is certainly going to be part of the latter, and Palace hope they can convince him to stay. They’re in the Europa League next season, they’ve won trophies in the last two seasons, so they can make a strong case for why he should stick around.
“I expect they will be increasingly confident they can keep hold of him, even if somebody like Liverpool comes calling, for at least one more season.”
Adam Wharton or Alex Scott for Liverpool this summer?
This would be a setback for Liverpool, considering the £80m-rated Wharton has arguably stood out as one of their leading midfield targets, having been described as “outstanding” by England teammate Declan Rice.
He would be such a formidable signing for the Reds, bringing quality and tenacity in front of the defence, and if he does end up staying at Palace, attention should turn to Scott instead.
Also 22, the Englishman enjoyed a highly impressive 2025/26 season for Bournemouth, scoring three goals in the Premier League and also averaging 2.2 clearances per game across his 37 appearances.
The fact that new Liverpool head coach Iraola knows him so well as a player can only be a positive, too, and he would add the legs that have been so lacking with Alexis Mac Allister of late.