|
Man Utd are keen on Adam Wharton, but is a January move possible? We break down the transfer truth, Crystal Palace's firm stance, and Wharton's timeline for a Champions League switch. |
is a very active transfer rumor, but based on the latest reports from transfer insiders and Crystal Palace's chairman, Adam Wharton has not made a decision to move to Manchester United at this time.
The current situation suggests a move is highly unlikely in the upcoming January transfer window, with a potential transfer only being considered by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2026 or later.
Here is a breakdown of the key information:
January Transfer: Highly Unlikely
Crystal Palace's Stance: Crystal Palace has a "no intention to negotiate" or sell Wharton in the January window. They are reportedly ready to reject any offers, as they want him to remain a key part of the team this season. Wharton is under a long-term contract until the summer of 2029.
Player's Focus: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish stated that he believes Wharton is currently "completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us," and is "very committed to the club."
Manchester United's Interest: Manchester United, among other top clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid, do "appreciate" the player and he is considered a top target, especially since United has reportedly cooled their interest in Carlos Baleba.
Potential Future Move (Summer 2026)
Palace's Long-Term View: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted that Wharton is an "extraordinary talent" who will eventually want to play in the Champions League, either with Palace or "probably with another club."
Timeline for Review: Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests that a decision is more likely to be assessed by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2026, possibly after the World Cup. At that point, they would assess the situation based on any proposals and the player's wishes.
Transfer Fee: Reports suggest a potential bid from Manchester United could be around £60 million, but Palace may hold out for a significantly higher fee, perhaps in the region of £75 million with a new contract and a release clause, or even up to an rumored £150 million valuation.
Focus on the Long-Term Strategy
The club's new INEOS-led recruitment strategy appears to be focused on acquiring young, high-potential players for the long term. This is evidenced by:
Adam Wharton & Carlos Baleba: Both are young, English-speaking, and Premier League-proven, fitting the profile of what United needs for a long-term anchor alongside players like Kobbie Mainoo.
Academy Talent: United has already completed a deal for 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco, who will officially join in July 2026, as part of a strategy to bring in highly-rated international academy talent for cheap fees.
In summary, United is actively scouting a mix of expensive, high-quality, young Premier League midfielders (Wharton, Baleba) and potentially more accessible options from European leagues (Agoumé, Hjulmand, Gallagher) to overhaul a crucial area of the squad. while Manchester United is highly interested, the reported "decision" for a move is currently on hold, with the player committed to Crystal Palace for the immediate future.
0 Comments