Adam Wharton ‘auction’ is on the cards as Man United transfer plan revealed
Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton’s value could increase further if he gets picked for England’s World Cup squad.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks there will be an “auction” for the 21-year-old next summer.
Crystal Palace have set a £100million price tag on Wharton, with a host of Premier League clubs, and Real Madrid, all interested in the midfielder.
Wharton is high on Man United’s shortlist as the Red Devils are targeting a new midfielder to bring to Old Trafford.
Adam Wharton ‘could make a name for himself’ at World Cup
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – says next summer’s World Cup could be a “deciding factor” for Wharton.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness predicts that Wharton’s value may go up.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think what we’ve always said about him is that the World Cup again will be another deciding factor for him. And I think over the summer, he could be one of those players whose value increases a bit like Elliot Anderson, if he gets picked as well.
“There’s a few of them going to be there. There’s a few in midfielders that could really make a name for themselves. Those sort of valuations will start to get inflated and it’s always been a mistake to buy players based on tournament performances, but clubs don’t learn and they keep on doing it and that’s the situation.
“I’ve got to say I have not been guilty of that and I’ve always been very cautious of that, but I think he is one player that may well see that bump.
“There will be an auction for Wharton. There’s no doubt his form has been very very good and technical. He’s a passing machine and he’s got the right attitude and so yes, he’s going to get an auction, there’s no doubt.”
Oliver Glasner future in doubt
Wharton’s future could also depend on what happens to Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who may leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season.
Glasner has expressed his frustrations at the Crystal Palace board, and the Austrian wants to invest more money into the squad.
Crystal Palace want to keep Glasner at the club, but doing so will require them to show ambition in the transfer market.