LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Crystal Palace's Adam c during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Crystal Palace's Adam c during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Adam Wharton was previously considered a likely signing for Liverpool this summer, but now any move for the Crystal Palace would be deemed a “surprise.”
Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has cast doubt on Wharton joining Liverpool despite previous contact over a switch from Selhurst Park.
“There is some appreciation there. But it’s not moving, I’m told, as it stands,” he told talkSPORT on Sunday.
“It would be a surprise at this stage if Liverpool enter the race for Adam Wharton.
“You can never say never in a window where Liverpool are going to be looking for a midfielder, but at this stage, nothing is moving between Liverpool and Adam Wharton.”
Chelsea and Arsenal are credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who has been valued at upwards of £80 million and potentially as high as £100 million.
That price tag may explain Liverpool’s reluctance to enter the market for Wharton, with it known they are exploring a number of options to add to their midfield.
Which midfielders could Liverpool sign instead?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's Ryan Christie (L) and Alex Scott celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's Ryan Christie (L) and Alex Scott celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Lille’s Mamadou Sangare are known targets, while Fabrizio Romano has now claimed an enquiry was made into a possible deal for West Ham‘s Manuel Fernandes.
Sandro Tonali could emerge as an interesting candidate despite Newcastle already rejecting an £80 million bid from Tottenham this month.
Furthermore, there are claims of interest in Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott, with Jacobs himself noting on X earlier in June that Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham were among his suitors.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Any additions to Andoni Iraola‘s midfield may still hinge on players departing and the chances of Curtis Jones now leaving for Inter Milan appear slim after a second proposal worth €25 million (£21.7m) was turned down.
Alexis Mac Allister is another possibility with Real Madrid interested, while Wataru Endo could be a low-profile sale as he enters the final year of his contract.
Liverpool’s focus as it stands is on strengthening in attack, with Victor Munoz already signed and an offer lodged for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.
3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
That €100 million (£86.6m) proposal was turned down and Leipzig are seeking a fee closer to €130 million (£112.5m), though ongoing interest suggests a deal can be struck.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola is also on the radar, while Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, Koln’s Said El Mala and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo are considered alternatives to Diomande.
Mo Salah‘s departure has left a gaping void in Iraola’s attack, added to by Hugo Ekitike‘s long-term injury, and Cody Gakpo could also leave amid interest from Tottenham.
Bradley BARCOLA of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match between France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
Bradley BARCOLA of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match between France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
Football – FA Premier League – Everton FC v Liverpool FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after his side scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Internazionale Milano v Liverpool FC
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones applauds the travelling supporters after the UEFA Champions League game between Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)