2 weeks ago
10
Crystal Palace remains unfazed about the future of Adam Wharton, despite rumored transfer interest from both Manchester United and Liverpool.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim seeks to strengthen his midfield. He's also been linked with Liverpool for some time, with speculation first emerging after his initial call-up to the England squad in 2024.
Despite no talks regarding a new contract for the England international, Palace is planning for the future with him as a crucial part of its squad. He still has four years left on his current deal at Selhurst Park.
Wharton made the move to Palace from Blackburn in a deal believed to be around £18 million ($24.2 million) plus add-ons in January 2024. He quickly became a crowd favorite and was rewarded with a place in the England squad at Euro 2024.
Although his chances with England have been limited since Thomas Tuchel took over as the national team's head coach, Wharton has continued to impress and establish himself at Palace in the Premier League.
According to the i paper, Amorim is thought to be a big fan of Wharton and United may now opt to prioritise him over signing Carlos Baleba, who was previously reported to be a summer target for the Red Devils.
It's suggested that Baleba's inconsistent start to the season at Brighton has raised some eyebrows at Old Trafford. As Brighton is expected to demand more than $125 million for Baleba, it's believed that Wharton may be available for less.
Sky Sports has reported that Palace is not overly concerned about the future of Wharton, believing it can convince him to remain in London despite interest from Liverpool and United.
Over the weekend, Steve Parish, the chairman of Palace, shared his thoughts on Wharton's situation. He stated that the club is prepared to fight to retain him.
"Look, I think Adam at some point will want to play, either in the Champions League with us, if we could make that happen, or probably with another club," he said.
"He's an extraordinary talent. I think right now, and I can't speak for Adam, but I think he's focused on his time at Crystal Palace.
"He had a broken season last season with the groin issues that he had, which a lot of young players get.
"This season he's completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us. I think he's very committed to the club.
"I mean, if Manchester United want Adam Wharton, that's nothing surprising really. The fact of the matter is, he's got a long contract to run. There's no pressure on us to do it, and I don't think there's any real pressure from the player either."
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