Manchester United are reportedly admirers of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and could make a move to sign him next year.
Manchester United strengthened Ruben Amorim’s squad with five new first-team arrivals during the recent summer transfer window.
Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha were added to boost the attack, while Senne Lammens and Diego Leon also joined the team.
Even after investing more than £200 million, several areas still require improvement, and United have already turned their focus toward next summer.
The midfield is the biggest area of concern for the Reds after they failed to address their problems in the engine room throughout the most recent transfer window.
Wharton to United? Details revealed
While Carlos Baleba is the main target at Old Trafford to improve the midfield next summer, there are also other players the club are considering.
Adam Wharton has been excellent since he joined Crystal Palace and Ben Jacobs has claimed that United ‘really like’ the England international.
The journalist hinted that there is a gentleman’s agreement at Selhurst Park to allow the midfielder to leave next summer and he could cost around £60 million, although that is not a guarantee.
“I think Adam Wharton is one that they really like and Crystal Palace are prepared to entertain an exit in [the] summer [of] 2026 when they were not [in the] summer [of] 2025,” Jacobs told The United Stand.
“It’s hard to tell what the exact price tag is on Adam Wharton. There’s kind of a gentleman’s agreement – or there was after the first year he spent at the club that he could leave for a fee in the region of £55-60 million, but it’s dependent on form and valuation at the time as well.
“That’s the danger with verbal packs or agreements, if they’re not there in writing then you can’t guarantee 100 per cent on them but maybe something in the region of £60 million.”
United need at least two midfielders
When the season ends, United will likely allow Casemiro to depart on a free contract and there could also be question marks over the other midfielders.
Some reports have claimed that Bruno Fernandes would consider an exit next summer. Manuel Ugarte may also be moved on if he does not prove himself this term. There are also doubts over Kobbie Mainoo’s future right now.
Those are all four of United’s current midfielders, and while not all of them are expected to leave, there could be a possibility where two or three of them do.
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If that is the case, then United would likely need two or three additions in that area of the pitch. Wharton and Baleba are among those being considered.
United could also look to promote from within the club to bolster the depth in the middle, with someone like Sekou Kone potentially ready for the step up to first-team football in 12 months.
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