Liverpool are the latest club to enquire about Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, GMS understands.
Wharton is not agitating for a move but there is an acceptance within Crystal Palace he may look for options this summer should the club not qualify for European football.
Wharton wants to play in the Champions League and there has been a verbal understanding between all parties that Palace won't stand in his way should the right offer present itself.
Wharton was content to stay last summer as Palace qualified for Europe, and it is not entirely ruled out he remains for another season if Oliver Glasner's side qualify for the Europa League, most likely by winning the Europa Conference League.
Liverpool Make Adam Wharton Enquiry
Adam Wharton
GMS understands Palace's starting valuation is £80m, even though multiple sources familiar with Wharton's thinking are of the belief a lower number might prove a starting point for talks.
Wharton is still contracted until 2029, despite not agreeing a new deal since joining, and Palace know he will handle any potential exit with the professionalism giving the Eagles plenty of control over the situation.
Liverpool are in the market for 3-4 senior arrivals this summer as they look to find a successor for Mo Salah, and very possibly add a left-winger having not replaced Luis Diaz last summer when he left for Bayern. And with Hugo Ekitike, capable of operating in that position, out for around nine months with a ruptured Achilles there is arguably added urgency to bring in quality on the left side.
Yet adding a new midfielder is also a priority since Curtis Jones could depart and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister's future is unclear.
Man Utd Among Wharton's Admirers
Michael Carrick
Manchester United are also considering Adam Wharton, but there are other targets currently ahead of the 'elite' England international, including Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is also firmly on the radar of Manchester City, who retain optimism of striking a deal with Nottingham Forest despite no formal talks yet.
United also appreciate Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, West Ham's Matheus Fernandez, Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller and Atalanta midfielder Ederson. The list of options is long because United want to add two senior midfielders this summer, and the direction of travel is expected to be clearer by the end of April.
Arsenal have also considered Wharton as well as Tonali. The Gunners could sign another midfielder this summer and made an informal enquiry for the Newcastle midfielder in January even though nothing developed.
Real Madrid are also understood to be tracking Wharton as they decide which type of profile they want to add in the centre of the park. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has also flirted with a move to Madrid, but Real are yet to communicate to any potential signing their direction of travel, and that may not change until closer to the end of the season.
22-year-old Wharton arrived at Selhurst Park in February 2024 for an initial £18m fee and he has gone on to make 138 appearances, scoring four times. He has won four caps for England and is now hoping to make Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad this summer.