Crystal Palace are “doing everything” to retain the services of midfielder Adam Wharton, amid rumours of a move to Liverpool this summer.
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the country, impressing with his poise at the heart of Palace’s midfield.
Liverpool need reinforcements in the middle of the park and Wharton has been mentioned as one of many options to bolster their depth.
Now, speaking to Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown claimed that Palace desperately want him to stay, with his agent potentially pushing for a summer exit:
“Crystal Palace will be doing everything in their power to keep Wharton. Just like all of their best players, they have to be making substantial efforts to keep them around, because otherwise they will be weakened massively.
“I’ve been saying it since they won the FA Cup, and since then they’ve lost Guehi and Eze, so they really can’t afford to keep losing players. There has been some talk that he wants to go and play in the Champions League, which I imagine is being led by his agent, and that’s a shame.
“But by all accounts, Crystal Palace would be very reluctant to lose him and they’re determined to keep him around, unless of course a massive offer comes in.”
Are Liverpool and Adam Wharton a match made in heaven?
Palace will do well to keep hold of Wharton in the summer transfer window, and Liverpool could be an ideal fit for him, in terms of his quality and attitude.
The England international is the type of player who could flourish alongside superior players at Anfield than at Selhurst Park, with Shay Given hailing his brilliance:
“Sometimes he stands still and lets the play run around him. He knows the pass before it even comes to win. His brain works a step ahead of those around him. For me, he’s one of the most gifted midfielders in the Premier League.”
Wharton won’t come on the cheap, with as much as £70m possibly needed for Liverpool to sign him, but he has the long-term potential to be a wonderful addition.
There is an inevitability about him leaving Palace one day, but the Reds will hope he is available this year, beating other top clubs to his signature in the process.