Manchester United are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton amid Kobbie Mainoo's potential exit from the clubManchester United are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton amid Kobbie Mainoo's potential exit from the club
Manchester United are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton amid Kobbie Mainoo's potential exit from the club | Getty Images
Manchester United are eyeing a potential replacement for Kobbie Mainoo amid his uncertain future at the club
Manchester United are being linked with a Premier League midfielder amid reports that academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo could leave the club this summer.
The England international has established himself as a key member of the Red Devils squad despite only breaking into the side last season. He is currently sidelined by a muscle injury but is line for a return after the international break as United take on Nottingham Forest and then Manchester City early next month.
The Reds Devils are preparing for a summer clear-out and reports this week claimed Mainoo is one of those players considered for an exit. It comes after a report earlier this month the midfielder had requested a payrise in any potential new deal worth £180,000 per week. The midfielder is in talks over a new contract at Old Trafford after his impressive start to his United career but whether an agreement can be struck remains to be seen.
Man United linked with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton
United and their close rivals Manchester City are both eyeing a summer move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, per a report from TEAMtalk. Both clubs are tracking the midfielder who is also said to be attracting interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Wharton has played 29 times in the Premier League since his arrival at Selhurst Park and has become a part of the senior England squad over the last 18 months.
The player has spent time out with injury this season but is viewed as a key player for Oliver Glasner when fit. Palace paid £22m to sign him from Championship side Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 but his value is now said to sit at around £70m.
United would want around the same amount for Mainoo if he is to leave the club this summer, with Chelsea showing an interest in the player back in the January transfer window. Wharton does have four years remaining on his Palace deal come the end of the season, meaning the Eagles are currently under no pressure to sell him.
Rice is a big fan of Wharton
Speaking about Wharton last summer, Arsenal star Declan Rice had plenty of positive things to say about the midfielder. Rice said: “I think there's a difference you can see between players that are top-level players at 20, and players that are just on the cusp of stuff.
“And he's top-level, he's really, really top-level. At 20 years old, he sees a pass early, left and right foot. It's impressive the way he passes the ball, whether it's only five or ten yards, there's just a crispness to it that's really impressive. He's really calm, composed, and relaxed. You speak to the Crystal Palace boys about him, he's shocked them with how well he's done. But look, he's 20 years old, this is his first tournament.
"And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He's still obviously only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family and I know he's one who won't take it for granted.”