Manchester United are reportedly interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who has become one of the most sought-after players ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the Red Devils will be silly to launch a move for the 22-year-old midfielder, especially with the Eagles demanding at least £100 million for his signature.
United’s interest in Wharton is understandable. He has once again been one of the standout players of the season, and the Red Devils are in the middle of a midfield rebuild.
Wharton excelled for Palace last season, featuring 53 times across all competitions as Oliver Glasner’s troops secured the Europa Conference League trophy.
His numbers in the Premier League are also exciting, with the talented midfielder racking up a goal and five assists while creating an impressive 14 big chances and averaging 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes.
He won half of his ground duels and was successful in 49% of his aerial battles, which is decent enough for a 5ft9 midfielder.
However, he’s not the profile United should be looking at, especially as they already have Kobbie Mainoo.
Why United should look beyond Wharton
Wharton’s omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad was considered the most baffling decision of the summer and rightly so.
Given the season he’s had, Wharton looks destined to secure a big-money transfer this summer, but United are better off sitting this one out.
With Mainoo already in the midfield, spending a fortune to bring in another player of similar profile doesn’t make any sense.
Both players are at their best when receiving the ball under pressure, progressing play through the midfield and dictating the tempo of games.
Pairing Mainoo and Wharton would also be a recipe for disaster, as neither of them can operate without a destroyer behind them.
Mainoo has become a key player under Michael Carrick and looks like someone the manager and the club would want to build around.
United would be better off going for Eduardo Camavinga as an alternative, with reports claiming the Frenchman could leave Real Madrid this summer.