Adam Wharton's Future Takes Major Twist as Palace Owner Makes Admission

Adam Wharton’s future has taken a significant twist as Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish makes a huge Champions League admission about the young midfielder.

Wharton has established himself as one of the best progressive midfielders in Europe having shone for the Eagles following his arrival from Blackburn last January.

The 21-year-old was vital as Palace won the FA Cup back in May, marking their first major piece of silverware in their history, and has taken to European football with ease.

Reports on Saturday claim that Manchester United are preparing a £60m bid for Wharton, though the Eagles will rightly demand more for a player who has excelled for Oliver Glasner’s side.

United are keen on a midfield refresh having attempted to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton over the summer. However, they look to have turned their attention to Wharton with the January window edging closer.

With question marks over the future of Kobbie Mainoo, who has been linked with a January switch to Napoli, and Casemiro, whose contract expires at the end of the season, United are weighing up their options in the New Year.

United aren’t the only side interested in Wharton, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid all previously credited with an interest in the England international.

Parish opens door to potential Wharton exit

And Palace owner Parish has delivered a major twist in any potential transfer saga surrounding Wharton.

Speaking with Henry Winter and Sean Custis on talkSPORT, Wharton said: “I think Adam at some point will want to play either in the Champions League with us, if we can make that happen, or probably with another club.

“He's an extraordinary talent. I think right now, and I can't speak for Adam, but I think he's focused on his time at Crystal Palace.

“He had a broken season last season with the groin issues that he had that a lot of young players get.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is a wanted man (Image: Getty)

“I think this season he's completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us, and making sure that he can show that Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. It's a difficult programme for us right now.

“I think he's very committed to the club. I don't know where all this stuff comes from.”

Asked about the links over a £60m move to United, Parish added: “If Manchester United want Adam Wharton, that's nothing surprising really about that.

“The fact of the matter is he's got a long contract to run. There's no pressure on us to do it, and I don't think there's any real pressure from the player either.”

'I think he's a fantastic footballer'

And any move for Wharton would receive the seal of approval from former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who compared him to ex-teammate Michael Carrick on his official YouTube channel via talkSPORT: “We've been talking about Baleba, he's been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying.

“He's the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who's a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times.

“He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he's more of a conductor and can control things.

“I watched him in a couple of games last season against big teams like Man City and Liverpool, and he looks unfazed. He looks ready for a big occasion.

“He enjoys pressure, can play under pressure, and the game kind of slows down when the ball is around him.

“I love him. I think he's a fantastic footballer.”

Palace are under no pressure to sell Wharton, who is contracted to Selhurst Park until 2029.