Chelsea are targeting a potential swoop for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, though any deal is considered unlikely this summer, according to reports. The 21-year-old has already been linked to Liverpool and Manchester United, but he is said to be viewed as a long-term target by Enzo Maresca.
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have added Wharton to their shortlist, and his Stamford Bridge arrival is one to watch moving forward. However, the transfer should prove too difficult to complete before Monday's 7pm deadline, and he is expected to spend another season at Palace.
Chelsea already have a young midfield department, but Maresca is reportedly keen to add to his options.
Enzo Fernandez (24), Moises Caicedo (23), Andrey Santos (21) and Romeo Lavia (21) are the current options in the Blues' engine room.
Wharton's stock has soared since joining Palace from Championship club Blackburn Rovers in an £18m move in January 2024.
The 21-year-old earned his first senior England call-up as part of Gareth Southgate's 33-player preliminary squad for Euro 2024.
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He made his England debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3.
Southgate later named Wharton in his final 26-man squad for the major tournament in Germany, but he was an unused substitute throughout.
Wharton is likely happy to remain at Palace for another season amid a stellar period in the club's history under Oliver Glasner.
The Eagles lifted their first-ever major trophy last term by beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, during which Wharton was forced off with an injury.
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They started the new campaign by winning the Community Shield, triumphing over Liverpool on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley. Wharton assisted Ismaila Sarr's second-half equaliser.
As a result of their FA Cup glory, Palace have a European adventure to look forward to in the coming months, entering the Conference League.
The Selhurst Park club earned qualification into the Europa League, but UEFA enforced a demotion due to multi-club ownership rules.
Palace edged past Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad in their Conference League play-off tie, winning 1-0 on aggregate.
They played out a 0-0 draw in Norway on Thursday, with Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-leg winner in south London proving the difference.