With just weeks to go until the end of the 2026 summer transfer window, Manchester City have made enquiries over a potential deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
Elliot Anderson begins new era for Manchester City's midfield
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Adam Wharton has held long-standing admiration from officials within the Etihad Stadium over recent seasons, with the club having regularly monitored the 22-year-old’s career since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers in 2024.
The England international has so far failed to make the leap to a 'Big Six' Premier League side in recent seasons, with Manchester United among those to have also expressed an interest in the Blackburn-born star.
Manchester City, for their part, are in urgent of reinforcements in the centre of midfield to begin the Enzo Maresca era, having allowed all of Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders to leave since the start of the summer transfer window.
While club record signing Elliot Anderson - recruited from Nottingham Forest for £116 million earlier this summer - has certainly strengthened Maresca’s options, City certainly need at least two fresh acquisitions before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Man City receive firm response from Palace over Wharton
Now, according to the information of David Ornstein and Sam Lee of The Athletic, Manchester City have made enquiries regarding Adam Wharton directly to Crystal Palace, only to be told that the Englishman is not for sale this summer.
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether Manchester City officials deem the matter worthy of testing the resolve of their boardroom counterparts in South London, perhaps depending on the preference or stance taken by Wharton himself.
The development comes as sporting director Hugo Viana continues to scour the market for other potential recruits in the final fortnight of the summer transfer window, with names emerging both within the Premier League and further afield across Europe.
Who else do we know about in Man City's midfield hunt?
The clear priority target for Manchester City, in a pursuit that many believe will be finalised this week, is the signing of Lille and Morocco international defensive midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi - a player City have been working on recruiting since before the FIFA World Cup.
The 18-year-old was thrust into the limelight through his performances for the North African country at the summer's tournament, and City are working to ensure they are ahead of the pack when it comes to the teenager's signature.
Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has indicated his firm desire to join Manchester City this summer, according to a new report.cityxtra.co.ukAyyoub Bouaddi Makes Man City Decision As Rodri Completes Barcelona Transfer
Lille and Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has indicated his firm desire to join Manchester City this summer, according to a new report.
Any deal for Bouaddi is expected to cost north of £80 million as a total package, and it remains to be seen whether Lille and City will reach an agreement on more favourable payment terms on the side of the Premier League club.
Elsewhere, Manchester City have also identified AS Roma's Manu Kone as a possible target in central midfield, with the France international also impressing at the World Cup and reportedly having a price tag in excess of £50 million this summer.
Most notoriously however, City continue to eye a possible move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez at the request of manager Enzo Maresca, although the word from Stamford Bridge is that it would now take an offer north of £120 million in order to sell.