Adam Wharton enters transfer talks with Premier League giants as saga takes new twist

Manchester United, currently preparing for a major centre-of-the-park rebuild this summer, will face stiff competition from their biggest rivals for the signature of Adam Wharton.

United will face stiff competition from their biggest rivals this summer, as Old Trafford hopes to see the arrival of Crystal Palace superstar Adam Wharton.

The Red Devils are in the process of securing personnel for their midfield rebuild this summer, now confirmed to lose a recently rejuvenated Casemiro at the end of the season.

One name that stands tall in their efforts to sign is England international Adam Wharton, but United will have to go to war with Liverpool to secure the midfielder’s services.

Italian journalist and transfer expert Matteo Moreno revealed that Liverpool are negotiating with Wharton to see him arrive at Anfield, with their midfield being a glaring weakness throughout the Reds’ torrid 2025/26 season.

Liverpool, who possess the most expensive squad ever to go trophyless, have endured a nightmare season under Arne Slot, now just one loss away from the club’s highest-ever number of defeats in a single campaign.

Alexis Mac Allister, once a standout player for the Reds, has suffered a dramatic fall-off across the season, and Curtis Jones has also been linked with an Anfield departure.

Adam Wharton helped bring Crystal Palace to Community Shield glory against Liverpool. (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Arne Slot is reportedly desperate to beat Manchester United to Adam Wharton’s signature — with the England international all but confirmed to leave Selhurst Park this summer — as the midfielder could provide solutions for Liverpool in multiple areas of the pitch.

Wharton, who can play as both a six and an eight, offers both defensive prowess and line-breaking creativity - both of which have been sorely lacking in Liverpool’s midfield.

Similar problems exist within the makeup of Manchester United’s midfield, but the supreme creativity of Bruno Fernandes would surely see Wharton play in a more defensive capacity under Michael Carrick - if the current interim manager even makes it to next season.

United are also looking to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as an alternative if they are unable to secure the signing of Wharton, but club legend Nicky Butt already expressed his preference.

Speaking to Paddy Power, the Manchester United man said: “I really do like Adam Wharton. I’d prefer him over Elliot Anderson, but they’re both great players.

“I think [Wharton] would fit with Kobbie Mainoo better. Kobbie is playing a little more advanced, a role that suits him more than a deeper one,” continued Butt.

Adam Wharton has registered 13 Big Chances Created this season for Crystal Palace, the fourth most in the Premier League, combining effectively with striker Jean Phillipe Mateta.

With his signature hotly contested between the two greatest ever English clubs, it could come down to which of the pair offer Wharton the most free rein going forward.

For now, fans of both teams will await the outcome, while fans of Crystal Palace will surely hope for a shock turn of events with the England international choosing to remain in London.