Crystal Palace’s owner, Steve Parish, has sparked a major twist in Adam Wharton’s future after making a significant Champions League admission about the talented young midfielder.
Wharton has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most promising progressive midfielders, impressing for the Eagles since his arrival from Blackburn Rovers last January.
The 21-year-old played a pivotal role in Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph back in May — the club’s first major trophy — and has since adapted to European football with remarkable composure and confidence.
Reports on Saturday suggest that Manchester United are preparing a £60 million offer for Wharton, though the Eagles are expected to demand a higher fee for a player who has been outstanding under Oliver Glasner’s management.
United are eager to refresh their midfield options after failing to land Brighton’s Carlos Baleba during the summer. However, with the January transfer window fast approaching, their focus now appears to have shifted firmly toward Wharton.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of Kobbie Mainoo — who has been linked with a January move to Napoli — and Casemiro, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, United are carefully assessing their midfield options ahead of the New Year.
United are not alone in their pursuit of Wharton, as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid have all previously been linked with interest in the England international.
And Palace owner Steve Parish has added a major twist to the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Wharton.
Speaking to Henry Winter and Sean Custis on talkSPORT, Parish said:
“I think Adam at some point will want to play either in the Champions League with us, if we can make that happen, or probably with another club.”
“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 that a lot of young players get.”
“I think this season he’s completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us, and making sure that he can show that Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, and Sunday. It’s a difficult program for us right now.”
“I think he’s very committed to the club. I don’t know where all this stuff comes from.”
When asked about the rumors of a potential £60 million move to Manchester United, Parish responded:
“If Manchester United wants Adam Wharton, there’s nothing surprising really about that.”
“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.”
Any potential move for Wharton would also have the backing of former Manchester United center-back Rio Ferdinand, who likened the youngster to his former teammate Michael Carrick on his official YouTube channel, as reported by talkSPORT:
“We’ve been talking about Baleba, he’s been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying.”
“He’s the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who’s a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times.”
“He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he’s more of a conductor and can control things.”
“I watched him in a couple of games last season against big teams like Man City and Liverpool, and he looks unfazed. He looks ready for a big occasion.”
“He enjoys pressure, can play under pressure, and the game kind of slows down when the ball is around him.”
“I love him. I think he’s a fantastic footballer.”
Palace are under no pressure to part ways with Wharton, as the midfielder remains under contract at Selhurst Park until 2029.
