SOME at Blackburn were stunned that none of the Premier League’s northern clubs made a move for Adam Wharton two years ago.
Wharton, who turned 22 only this month, has had a stunning first two years in the top flight.
But the Blackburn-born midfielder faces uncertainty as he returns closer to home with Crystal Palace this weekend.
Not long ago, it was easy to imagine a manager and a midfielder from Palace at Sunday’s opponents, Manchester United, next season.
Now it would feel a backward step if United were to opt for the outgoing Oliver Glasner, while Wharton has flagged amid Palace’s spiralling form.
United will go all-out for a major midfield signing in the summer, with a preference for a Premier League target. Two midfield recruits are likely, with European football likely to be back on the agenda for United next season.
Wharton, a northerner, an England international and so impressive in Palace’s victories over United in recent seasons, ticks most of the boxes.
He also has aspirations to play in the Champions League. United are on course to have that anthem ringing around Old Trafford again next season.
Those who watched him regularly at Blackburn are adamant that Wharton would be “perfect” for United.
Yet now that Kobbie Mainoo is back in the United fold and, in the words of Thomas Tuchel, back in the picture for England, there is a danger that Wharton could fall behind.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson are midfield certainties for Tuchel’s World Cup squad but he could struggle to justify accommodating Mainoo and Wharton.
Mainoo, on a six-game starting run having gone eight months without a Premier League start under Ruben Amorim, now has the momentum and the cachet of starting in a European Championship final.
Wharton is still destined for a big move, probably this summer. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also admirers and Wharton’s fleet-footed playing style would be well suited to La Liga.
But he is not necessarily the must-have for United that he once was.
Not for the first time, Wharton played United off the park in the first half at Selhurst Park in November, with his piercing pass leading to Leny Yoro conceding a penalty on Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Ticket + hotel room for Man Utd games from £175
GET tickets to see Man Utd at Old Trafford with our hand-picked deals.
The packages, offered by Sports Breaks, include an official match ticket and an overnight stay in a hand-picked hotel.
Man United Home Games
*If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
But Wharton tired quickly after half-time, was substituted in the 78th minute and United recovered to win 2-1.
With Palace playing in Europe this season, it is a litmus test of just how ready Wharton is for a demanding schedule at one of England’s elite clubs.
Wharton has started in 24 of Palace’s 27 Premier League games and completed 90 minutes 14 times, impressive durability for such a slight midfielder.
But he has been rotated regularly in the Europa League and United need an imposing presence in their midfield, particularly with Casemiro’s contract scheduled for the shredder in June.
Anderson is a more robust and rounded option, though Nottingham Forest would demand a higher fee than Palace could command for Wharton.
United do not have a successful hit-rate with buys from Palace. Wilfried Zaha made a meagre four appearances for the club and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was not a forward-thinking enough right back during his five years in Manchester.
Those two grew up in south London, though, whereas a Lancastrian homecoming would help Wharton settle.
Palace chairman Steve Parish drove a hard bargain with Wan-Bissaka, eventually sold for £45million rising to £50m in 2019.
Parish was a neighbour of then-United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, but United sources said Palace “dug their heels in” for a defender who had made only 46 appearances.
As recently as last summer, Parish led former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy down the garden path over Eberechi Eze.
Although Arsenal formally moved for Eze after injury to Kai Havertz in late August, Parish had quietly negotiated with the Gunners as he did not want to sell to Spurs.
Levy’s opening offer for Eze earlier in the summer was a mischievous £40m when Palace were always seeking £60m. United would be well-advised not to lowball Parish if they do move for Wharton.
Wharton is under contract at Selhurst until 2029 but talk of a renewal with a gentleman’s agreement that he could leave this summer has gone quiet.
It is probable that he will follow Glasner out of the door. Wharton has played all but three of his games for Palace under Glasner, the man responsible for transforming Wharton from Championship talent to England international within three months in 2024.
United, Manchester City and Liverpool could all be in the market for a midfielder this summer and are all tracking Wharton, a worthy addition to any of those squads.
And Ewood Park would be a shorter commute on his days off.
