Adam Wharton: Chelsea odds-on favourites to agree deal

Chelsea have now emerged as the odds-on favourites to secure the sensational signing of Adam Wharton this summer from Crystal Palace.

The Blues have been heavily linked to the 22-year-old all summer transfer window after heavily impressing at Selhurst Park.

Multiple Premier League clubs have reportedly been eyeing a move for the midfielder, including Liverpool.

However, Xabi Alonso’s side have are now just 10/11 to win the race to his signature after his odds were recently slashed.

Wharton has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best players outside of the top six clubs in recent seasons after winning three major trophies with the Eagles in two seasons.

In the 2025-26 campaign, he made 34 appearances in the Premier League and picked up six goal contributions.

Xabi Alonso clearly eyeing another midfielder at Chelsea

Whether Chelsea wins the race for Wharton’s signature or not, it is pretty clear that Alonso wants another midfielder at the club this summer.

The Blues have been linked with a host of central midfielders, and recently became the odds-on favourites to sign Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

This comes amid speculation that Enzo Fernandez could leave the club this summer, with clubs such as Manchester City interested.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Chelsea’s interest in Wharton is dependent on whether Fernandez is sold or if Alonso is simply keen on improving the current wealth of midfielders he has at his disposal ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

What other business are Chelsea looking to complete this summer?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Chelsea will look to sell five senior centre-backs over the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

The arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace has left the Blues overloaded in this position heading into the new campaign.

As it stands, the club has nine senior centre-backs on its books, and some of these will have to go in the coming weeks.

Chalobah could be the first of the defenders to leave, with reports indicating that Italian side Como are interested in the England international.

However, it remains to be seen what business Chelsea look to complete over the coming weeks as they look to bounce back from what was a pretty dire 2025-26 campaign.