Liverpool Joins Manchester United and Real Madrid in Pursuit of £80 Million Rated Midfielder Adam Wharton

Liverpool enters the hunt for Adam Wharton as Crystal Palace sets a £80m price tag. Read the latest on the Manchester United and Real Madrid transfer battle.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 2:04 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from talkSPORT and Tribal Football

Arne Slot’s Strategic Midfield Reinforcement

Liverpool has identified Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a primary target to bolster their engine room for the 2026-2027 campaign. According to reports from talkSPORT and other British networks, the Merseyside club is exploring long-term alternatives amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Under the direction of manager Arne Slot, Liverpool views Wharton as a tactically disciplined "number six" capable of dictating play from deep positions. His ability to anchor a pressing system while maintaining high passing accuracy has made him a standout candidate for Slot’s evolving tactical project at Anfield.

The Multi-Club Battle for a Domestic Prodigy

The pursuit of Wharton is set to be one of the most contested sagas of the summer, with several of Europe’s elite clubs circling Selhurst Park. Manchester United has reportedly made significant inquiries as they seek a high-quality replacement for Casemiro, while Real Madrid continues to monitor the player as a potential developmental piece for their midfield rotation. Even Manchester City has been mentioned as a peripheral suitor, though Liverpool and United currently appear to be the most active in their interest. This concentration of powerhouse suitors has placed Crystal Palace in a commanding position, allowing them to dictate the pace of negotiations.

Crystal Palace’s High-Stakes Financial Stance

Securing Wharton's signature will require a substantial financial commitment, as Crystal Palace management has set an asking price of no less than £80 million (approximately €100 million). This valuation reflects both the player’s immense potential and the club’s leverage; Wharton is currently under contract until the summer of 2029 with no immediate release clause. The Eagles are famously difficult negotiators, drawing parallels to the high-profile exits of players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze in previous windows. For Palace, retaining Wharton is the priority, but a "Rice-level" fee could prove too significant to ignore during the summer of 2026.