Manchester United is planning to make an offer of approximately £60 million to sign Crystal Palace’s key midfielder Adam Wharton. The club’s senior management believes this bid is sufficient to convince Crystal Palace to let go of their midfield playmaker.
Although strengthening the midfield was a key target in this summer’s transfer window, Man Utd ultimately failed to complete the corresponding signings. With Rúben Amorim adopting a cautious attitude towards the midfield partnership of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, the club is determined to fully reinforce this position before next season.
Amorim has been continuously monitoring Wharton’s development at Selhurst Park and highly appreciates the young midfielder’s performances. The Portuguese manager believes that the technical characteristics shown by the 21-year-old Wharton fully align with Man Utd’s team-building needs.
Reports also indicate that both Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are expected to leave Old Trafford. The former has not started a Premier League game this season and may join Napoli on loan in January, while Casemiro—whose contract expires next summer—is no longer part of the club’s future plans.
Wharton is one of the fastest-rising young talents in the Premier League in recent years. After joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers for £18 million in February 2024, he quickly adapted to the rhythm of the Premier League and was even included in Gareth Southgate’s European Championship squad that summer. Under the management of Oliver Glasner, he has become a key figure in the team’s FA Cup victory and qualification for European competitions, with his reputation continuing to rise.
This summer, Man Utd spent £200 million to revamp its attack, signing Benjamin Šeško, Jeremy Doku and Matheus Cunha successively to improve offensive efficiency. Now the club has shifted its transfer focus to the midfield and started early preparations for Wharton’s transfer—back in August, the English youngster had already been linked with Man Utd.
Crystal Palace has proven in recent years that it is willing to sell core players as long as the offer meets its psychological price. This summer, Eberechi Eze moved to Arsenal for £67.5 million, and a year ago, Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich.
