Liverpool are still reportedly pursuing a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with Harvey Elliott potentially involved as part of a swap deal.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a switch to Anfield for some time now, but journalist Pete O’Rourke has recently claimed that he could stay at Palace:
“Obviously Palace don’t want to lose one of their best players after losing the likes of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi in recent years. It’s gone quiet on him, to be honest. Obviously there were early links with Liverpool and everything else.
“But with Andoni Iraola coming in I’m not sure that Adam Wharton would be a top target for the Spaniard because of the style of play he put in place at Bournemouth. We’ve seen other clubs be busy in the market with midfielders. Obviously Spurs were linked with Wharton but now it looks like they’re getting deals done from Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
“Palace are in box seat here, he’s under contract and obviously if other midfield targets are being signed by other clubs then it might see Wharton stay at Selhurst Park.”
But in a fresh twist, journalist Danny Gallagher has talked up the idea of Liverpool signing Wharton on X, with Elliott possibly heading in the opposite direction:
“Understand Liverpool are looking into the logistics to see Harvey Elliott move to Crystal Palace as part of an Adam Wharton agreement, despite Iraola still wanting to run the rule over whether an exit is necessary. Something that could move quickly if all parties agree.”
Does an Adam Wharton-Harvey Elliott swap deal make sense?
While it would be sad to see boyhood Liverpool fan Elliott depart the club this summer, this is a scenario that could make plenty of sense for both the Reds and Palace.
It would allow the Eagles to receive big money for arguably their most talented player – one who has been called a “beautiful” footballer by Owen Hargreaves – as well as bring in an excellent young footballer in Elliott.
Wharton still needs to be seen as a priority midfield target for Liverpool, having the ability to bring control and bite for Andoni Iraola, and the hope is that an agreement is reached.
In an ideal world, Elliott would still stay, giving the Reds more squad depth, but he may feel that now is the time to leave permanently, in order to be a key starter elsewhere.