Liverpool ramp up pursuit of Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton

Liverpool have reportedly accelerated their efforts to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with the club prepared to spend £70m to secure the deal. The 22-year-old has been a standout performer since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers.

Background and form

Wharton joined Palace in January 2024 for an initial fee of around £18m, plus add-ons. He quickly established himself in the first team, making 16 Premier League appearances in the second half of the 2023-24 season. His composed passing and tactical intelligence earned praise from pundits and managers alike.

In the current campaign, Wharton has started 28 of Palace's 31 league matches, contributing 3 assists and maintaining a pass completion rate of 88%. He ranks among the top central midfielders in the division for progressive passes per 90 minutes. His ability to break lines and retain possession under pressure has made him a key figure in Oliver Glasner's system.

Transfer market context

A £70m fee would make Wharton one of the most expensive English midfielders in history. For context, Declan Rice's move to Arsenal last summer cost £100m, while Moises Caicedo's switch to Chelsea was valued at £115m. Wharton's price tag reflects his rapid rise and long-term potential, with four years remaining on his Palace contract.

Liverpool's midfield rebuild under Arne Slot has been a priority since last summer. The club signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo in 2023, but Wharton represents a younger, homegrown option with Premier League experience. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott provide depth, but Wharton's profile as a deep-lying playmaker offers a different dimension.

Tactical fit at Liverpool

Slot's system demands a midfielder who can dictate tempo from deep, screen the back four, and launch attacks with precise distribution. Wharton's skill set aligns well with those requirements. He averages 2.1 tackles per game and 1.8 interceptions, showing defensive diligence. His passing range allows Liverpool to switch play quickly, a hallmark of Slot's approach at Feyenoord.

  • Wharton's progressive passes: 6.4 per 90 (top 15% among Premier League midfielders).
  • His defensive duels won: 62% success rate, comparable to Fabinho in his prime.
  • Age profile: At 22, he fits Liverpool's policy of signing players for the long term.

The move would likely see Wharton compete with Endo for the holding role, with Mac Allister pushed further forward. Liverpool's midfield has lacked a natural defensive anchor since Fabinho's departure, and Wharton could fill that void while also contributing to build-up play.

FPL impact

Wharton is priced at £5.4m in Fantasy Premier League and owned by just 3.8% of managers. His upcoming fixtures include favourable matches against Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton Town in mid-April. If he maintains his form, he could offer value as a budget enabler, though he rarely scores or assists (3 goals in 52 league appearances).

Should he join Liverpool, his FPL price would likely rise to £6.0m, and his points potential would increase with more attacking responsibility. However, rotation risk may increase in a deeper squad.

Title race implications

Liverpool currently sit second in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal with eight games remaining. Adding a player of Wharton's quality would strengthen their squad depth for the run-in and beyond. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are 14th and safe from relegation, meaning they are under no pressure to sell. However, £70m could fund a significant rebuild for Glasner.

What's next

Negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with Liverpool keen to conclude a deal before pre-season. Palace value Wharton highly and may hold out for a fee closer to £80m. With Manchester City also reportedly monitoring the player, Liverpool's early acceleration could be decisive. If successful, Wharton would become the club's second major signing of the summer after a potential new striker.

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