Liverpool will not sell Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, and they plan to add more midfield talent to the options Andoni Iraola is inheriting from Arne Slot, starting with Adam Wharton.
Szoboszlai’s 13 goals and 12 assists is the most a Liverpool midfielder has achieved since Philippe Coutinho in 2015, and the Hungarian made 10 of his appearances at right-back due to the Reds’ injury crisis in 2025-26.
Yet, Szoboszlai’s midfield partners were not on his wavelength, struggling to perform in Slot’s second season. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will need to improve next season, while Florian Wirtz did quite well given the circumstances, contributing 7 goals and 10 assists in his debut season with the Reds.
Liverpool have been linked with a host of midfielders heading into this summer transfer window, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, but Wharton stands out as the most exciting link.
This is exactly who Liverpool need this window pic.twitter.com/O3f36Vqz5x
— AI (fan) (@AndoniIraolaEra) June 17, 2026
Liverpool ‘intensifying’ efforts to sign £70m-rated Adam Wharton for Iraola
According to a report from TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are stepping up their interest in 22-year-old Wharton as they seek to improve the options available to new head coach Iraola.
Bailey reports: “Liverpool have made it clear that Dominik Szoboszlai is going nowhere this summer as they accelerate plans to reshape their midfield around him and top target Adam Wharton, with the Reds now ‘intensifying’ their interest in the Crystal Palace star.
“The Reds are pressing ahead with plans to strengthen the centre of the park under Andoni Iraola and sources have confirmed that Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton and Bournemouth star Alex Scott remain among the club’s most desired targets.
“Sources indicate the player himself is eager about the prospect of moving to Anfield and becoming part of Iraola’s new era on Merseyside.
“Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are prepared to back their interest financially.
“TEAMtalk understands the Reds would be willing to exceed £70million for Wharton if required, a figure that would see Palace make a huge profit on a player they signed for just £18million.”
Wharton may have been bizarrely excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup, but it benefits Liverpool if they are indeed set to sign the midfielder.