Arne Slot’s side could see the Crystal Palace man join their ranks next season, but they will have to fend off Manchester United’s pursuit to make it a reality.
Liverpool are making their own push for England international Adam Wharton, with Crystal Palace demanding £80 million for his signature.
Wharton, who was previously linked with a move to Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the January transfer window, could solve the issues in Liverpool’s midfield that have arisen with the potential departures of Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister.
England’s two biggest clubs will battle it out for Adam Wharton
Both Liverpool and Manchester United will undergo midfield rebuilds this summer, with the former set to lose a struggling Alexis Mac Allister and a recurrently benched Curtis Jones, and the latter bracing to see Casemiro’s Old Trafford spell come to an end, and possibly even a shock Bruno Fernandes exit rearing its head again.
The 22-year-old’s signature would solve issues for both sides, particularly Liverpool whose midfield deficiencies have been glaring throughout the 2025-26 season.
According to a report from talkSPORT, Crystal Palace remain steadfast in their efforts to hold on to Wharton, however, the England international is looking for an exit from Selhurst Park.
This reluctance comes from seeing a series of star players excel elsewhere over the last 18 months, with Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze looking strong in their respective Premier League-contending sides, and Michael Olise lighting the world on fire in Germany.
For Liverpool, the feeling that World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister’s best years are behind him has spread like wildfire, and a string of consistent benchings for Liverpool lad Curtis Jones has raised similar questions regarding his future on Merseyside.
On the one hand, Wharton’s defensive attributes and ball control could activate a struggling Florian Wirtz, and in turn activate Liverpool’s 2026-27 attacking line-up, by carrying the burden in Liverpool’s faltering build-up.
On the other, it could appear unattractive to Wharton if confronted by the potential of regular shifts in the six, with his passing range being amongst the finest currently in the Premier League.
Despite his remarkable versatility, the last thing Liverpool need is an attacking-minded player that abstains from aiding in any solution to their defensive woes, making his potential role on Merseyside unclear if Liverpool would prefer his offensive attributes shine less brightly.
Wharton, in line to be called up to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, is currently two years into a five-and-a-half-year contract with Crystal Palace, joining for a reported £18 million in early 2024.
Liverpool return to Premier League action against Merseyside Derby rivals Everton at the Hill Dickinson stadium on Sunday.
