Chelsea Transfer News: Journalist Simon Phillips says Chelsea have put Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton at the top of their list to strengthen the midfield this summer. The West London club want to sign the English talent in the next window to give Liam Rosenior’s squad a boost. This comes after a long stint of scouting where the Blues watched him quickly find his feet in the Premier League following his move from Blackburn Rovers.
Sources suggest Chelsea might run into a battle with Manchester United, who also see the player as a key part of their own midfield rebuild. The report mentions a price tag that could hit €100 million, particularly if he keeps turning heads on the international stage. Doubts about Enzo Fernández and his linked move to Real Madrid only add more pressure to Chelsea’s pursuit as they hunt for a reliable long-term partner or replacement in the middle. Phillips points out that Wharton has the calm head and passing ability needed for a top-tier side. His current deal at Selhurst Park goes until 2029, so the Eagles are in a great spot to hold out for a massive fee.
Chelsea Transfer News: Should Chelsea Break The Bank For Adam Wharton This Summer?
Adam Wharton is currently starring as a 22-year-old mainstay for Crystal Palace and has broken into the England national team. During the 2025/26 season, he has picked up 5 assists in 27 Premier League games while keeping an 81% passing success rate. He is great at winning battles and cutting out passes, racking up 60 tackles and 23 interceptions so far.
His left-footed delivery offers something different tactically, though he does sometimes struggle with his long-range passing. I feel Chelsea should steer clear of this move if the price goes over £80 million because they already have expensive players like Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Bringing in another pricey defensive midfielder might just cause a selection headache instead of fixing their lack of creativity.
Chelsea Transfer News: While he is a brilliant ball-winner with plenty of potential, the Blues need to settle their current billion-pound squad before going after the next big thing. In reality, Crystal Palace will want a huge amount that Chelsea can’t easily pay, considering their reported £262 million loss. I expect Manchester United to go harder for him to replace the outgoing Casemiro, making a move to Old Trafford makes more sense for his career. Chelsea ought to look for cheaper backup unless they manage to sell Enzo Fernandez for a huge profit first.
Rohit Sarkar
Rohit Sarkar is a passionate writer with a deep love for multiple sports, but his favourites are football and cricket. Since 2017, he has been covering football and cricket news with a keen eye for detail and compelling storytelling. He is a fan of the beautiful game and a specialist…