Manchester United are planning to make a late move for Adam Wharton this summer
Last season was no less than a nightmare for Manchester United. Finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing to Spurs in the Europa League final was a deep blow to the team. Now the pain of being out of European football in the 2025/26 season is different, and this is why the club took active steps in the transfer market.
United have tried to improve their attack by bringing big names like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, while the arrival of young Diogo Leon and striker Benjamin Sesko points to a big change. However, the weakness of the midfield is still the biggest question.
United’s eye on Adam Wharton
In this connection, news is coming out that Manchester United are now eyeing Crystal Palace’s young midfielder Adam Wharton. According to reports from TalkSport, United had previously preferred Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but Brighton owner Tony Bloom made it clear that Baleba will not be sold this summer. He believes that Baleba’s value in the coming years can be as much as Moises Caicedo, who was sold for £115m. In this situation, Wharton is now the most attractive option left for United.
should United pay a record fee and invest in just one player?
should United pay a record fee and invest in just one player?
Wharton has quickly proven himself as an established midfield talent in the Premier League. Palace bought the 21-year-old from Blackburn in January 2024 in a deal worth up to £22m, and since then, he has been making a consistent impact. Bayern Munich also tried to sign him last summer, but Palace flatly refused to sell. Now the question is, will United be able to break Palace’s stubbornness? Because if the club want Wharton, they may have to pay the biggest transfer fee in Premier League history. The record is currently held by Liverpool, who paid £116m for Florian Wirtz.
Opinion: Wharton or the other way?
As United fans, the question is whether the English midfielder is really a viable alternative to Carlos Baleba. Baleba’s game is based on physical strength and ball recovery in terms of style, whereas Wharton’s game relies more on ball progression and passing range. United have long been looking for a midfielder who can not only break up play but also help link up the attack, and Wharton seems an interesting option in that regard.
However, the problem remains – should United pay a record fee and invest in just one player? There are still many areas in the squad that need improvement, and maybe two or three positions could be improved for that amount of money, especially when a club like Palace have previously turned down a giant like Bayern Munich. Given United’s current situation and Palace’s toughness, we don’t think this deal will happen. So while Wharton is a great player, United will probably have to find another way to fill their midfield this summer, or have to depend on their current players.