Liverpool transfer news as $93M Newcastle star wanted and Adam Wharton price set

Liverpool is being linked with two Premier League stars ahead of the summer transfer window, including promising Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton

Crystal Palace has "set its price" for Liverpool transfer target Adam Wharton(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liverpool's best hope for the remainder of the season appears to be limping home in fifth place or higher, before using the scarcely-deserved Champions League windfall to fund (another) remolding of the squad.

With the gaps in the team increasingly obvious, there is no shortage of transfer links. Of course, Liverpool could technically still finish the season with two trophies, still fighting in the Champions League and the FA Cup. But it looks far too shaky at both ends of the pitch to pull off either of those feats, which is why Adam Wharton features so heavily in the gossip columns.

The Crystal Palace midfield general would go some way to addressing Arne Slot's concerns about breaking down low blocks, with his sharp speed of thought and incisive passing range. He would also provide more of a defensive screen than Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, the latter of whom Jamie Carragher dubbed a "real problem" after the awful Spurs draw.

Palace has reportedly set its price for Wharton, while the Reds are said to be taking a keen interest in another young Premier League star. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the latest transfer rumors.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

It wouldn't necessarily be a glowing indictment of Liverpool's transfer policy if the next big move were a major outlay on Wharton. The summer of 2023 was entirely dedicated to a rebuild in the center of the park, with four new midfielders coming through the door at Anfield.

Individually, you would say that moves for Mac Allister, Gravenberch and especially Dominik Szoboszlai have all been successes. The Wataru Endo signing absolutely served its purpose as well.

But Liverpool does once again find itself with a midfield that is too often lightweight in practice and lacking the penetration it needs. This is where Wharton could come in, although Palace is determined to get top dollar.

Wharton is now a fully-fledged England international(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

According to Football Insider, the London club has set a price of at least $93 million (£70 million). The 22-year-old is now an England international, and could well swell his price tag even further at this summer's World Cup.

To a certain extent, the Eagles hold the cards, with Wharton under contract until 2029. By all accounts, they would be happy to keep him for another season.

There's still a vaguely lingering threat of relegation, which could change the equation, and Wharton will no doubt want to assess the direction the club takes once Oliver Glasner walks away. But Liverpool has been warned that a transfer will not be cheap, with the risk that interest from Chelsea and overseas clubs could drive the fee even higher.

Liverpool.com says: Wharton would solve two problems in one for Liverpool, as well as making the homegrown situation look a little better. With years of development still ahead of him, he could be worth the outlay.

Lewis Hall (Newcastle)

If having to sign a new midfielder would reflect badly on Liverpool, then splashing out on a new starting left-back would be a damning indictment. Milos Kerkez only arrived last summer.

Nevertheless, Andy Robertson may leave at the end of his current deal, so a second addition is not impossible. And the Reds are being linked with Lewis Hall of Newcastle.

Jarringly, CaughtOffside reports that a deal for Hall would cost as much as signing Wharton, with the bidding set to commence at $93 million. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal are all said to be taking an interest.

None of his suitors are believed to have lodged bids yet. But all are keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old's progress.

Hall has come on leaps and bounds since leaving Chelsea. But Newcastle will be extremely reluctant sellers, so it remains to be seen if he'll be on the move in the summer.

Liverpool.com says: Major spend on another left-back really doesn't seem as though it will be Liverpool's priority. Kerkez has settled down after a rocky start to life at the club, and the extent of the recruitment in that position should be finding suitable backup for the Hungarian (assuming Robertson moves on).