Liverpool, Man Utd & Chelsea in Transfer Battle for Crystal Palace Star Adam Wharton

Liverpool are set to battle with Manchester United and Chelsea for the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to TEAMtalk.

Liverpool’s Midfield Need

Arne Slot oversaw a major squad revamp in the summer but left the midfield largely untouched. With Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai currently available, plus Wataru Endo struggling for regular minutes, Slot is reportedly eager to strengthen his options in January.

Wharton has emerged as his prime target, thanks to his versatility and ability to dictate play from deep.

Chelsea and Man Utd Also in the Race

Chelsea are also keen, with Enzo Maresca eager to add further competition despite already boasting Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Romeo Lavia, and Andrey Santos.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have been tracking Wharton for months. They view him as a key piece of their midfield rebuild and even tried to sign him in the summer, only for Palace to block the move. United also admire Lille’s Carlos Baleba but remain firmly interested in Wharton, who could be handed a starting role at Old Trafford with Casemiro expected to depart and Bruno Fernandes facing an uncertain future.

Palace’s Stance and Wharton’s Profile

The 21-year-old has four years left on his contract, meaning Palace are under no pressure to sell. However, a bid in the region of £60 million could force them to reconsider.

Wharton thrives as a deep-lying playmaker, known for his composure and incisive passing between the lines. He has already helped Palace lift the FA Cup and Community Shield under Oliver Glasner, further enhancing his reputation as one of England’s brightest midfield prospects.

Who Needs Him Most?

At Chelsea, Wharton risks being a rotation option. At Liverpool, he would add depth but may not be a guaranteed starter immediately. At Manchester United, however, he could walk straight into the XI, underlining just how fierce this transfer battle is set to be.