Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace celebrates with the FA Community Shield
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United
(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester United this summer.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising talents in his position since joining Palace from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024. His standout performances secured him a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.
Wharton's progress last season was slightly hampered after he had groin surgery in November. He returned in early February, but did not start a match until the 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the end of that month.
Several top European clubs, including United, Real Madrid and Liverpool, have recently been linked with Wharton, who is under contract until 2029. Below is a round-up of the latest reports on his potential move to Old Trafford.
Baleba 'backup'
According to The Independent, United have identified Wharton as an alternative to Brighton's Carlos Baleba.
The report claims that the Reds may try to sign the Crystal Palace midfielder if they cannot prise the Cameroonian from the Amex Stadium.
It's said that United are long admirers of the duo. The Independent claim that Wharton could cost even more this summer; however, Steve Parish is unwilling to do business given that the Eagles could yet lose Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze.
True value
It was previously understood that Palace valued Wharton at £60million, but the latest figures released by the CIES Football Observatory claim the former Blackburn Rovers player should be valued more in the region of €32million (£27.7m) to €37m (£32m).
Using a sample of over past 8,000 transfers, the website evaluates prices of players from the five major European top-flights using the statistical technique of multiple linear regression - with fees paid by clubs as an independent variable.
That's quite a decrease in what many would expect the midfielder to leave the London club for. Wharton cost the club £18million in 2024 and he's only got better since then.
Transfer claim
Journalist David Ornstein has quashed any chance of United pulling off a move for Wharton this summer.
"They've been linked to the likes of Hojlmund at Sporting Lisbon and Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace," he told NBC Sports on Sunday.
"I'm not sure those are likely to come to fruition at this moment in time; they want to get players out of here, and Andre Onana is an interesting situation.
"They would look for a new goalkeeper, but there's no sign of him going at the moment. Garnacho, there is a good chance he goes to Chelsea. Jadon Sancho, Roma [are] in talks, club-to-club, but he hasn't decided.
"Rasmus Hojlund his time here looks to be coming towards an end. He's not involved today. Tyrell Malacia could also leave the club."
Rooney praise
Reds legend Wayne Rooney has previously heaped praise on Wharton.
Speaking after Palace's FA Cup final win over Manchester City, he told BBC Sport: "Attacking players get a lot of the credit, but Adam Wharton was outstanding.
"His commitment and winning the ball back - I thought he was the best player on the pitch."