(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Wed 3 June 2026 7:30, UK

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Crystal Palace are increasingly confident that they can persuade Adam Wharton to remain at the club for another year despite interest from Liverpool.

The 22-year-old has played a key role for Oliver Glasner’s side this season as he helped them to lift the Conference League trophy in Leipzig last week.

Those performances have attracted high-profile from leading Premier League clubs as well as those in Europe, but the Eagles are reluctant to see him leave.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that winning trophies and playing in Europe could convince Wharton to remain in South London.

Much could also depend on their next managerial appointment, with the Eagles hoping to show ambition and build on their success in a blow to Liverpool’s transfer plans.

How do Crystal Palace feel about losing Adam Wharton?

Brown told Football Insider on 7 May that Crystal Palace plan to deter interest in Wharton and have placed a significant price tag on his head this summer.

A man-of-the-match performance in the Conference League final has added to that interest, with the likes of Real Madrid also strong admirers of the midfielder.

However, Crystal Palace feel the opportunity to continue his development and play in the Europa League next season could be enough to convince him to stay.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Wharton,” Brown told Football Insider.

“I say it all the time with Crystal Palace, they have to be seen to be doing everything in their power to keep their best players at the club this summer.

“A lot will depend on the new manager, what he has planned for his team, which players he’s prepared to let go, and which players he wants to keep.

“Wharton is certainly going to be part of the latter, and Palace hope they can convince him to stay.

“They’re in the Europa League next season, they’ve won trophies in the last two seasons, so they can make a strong case for why he should stick around.

“I expect they will be increasingly confident they can keep hold of him, even if somebody like Liverpool comes calling, for at least one more season.”

Could Liverpool make a move to sign Wharton?

Wharton’s impressive performances for Crystal Palace have been watched closely this season by scouts from the likes of Real Madrid, Man City and Man United.

However, Liverpool are believed to have the edge over all of those European giants in their pursuit as they aim to bring the England international back to the North West.

What a performance from Adam Wharton 💫#UECLfinal | @CPFC pic.twitter.com/uS0JOxQNqb

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 29, 2026

Brown told Football Insider in April that Liverpool are interested in signing Wharton as they aim to bolster their midfield options in the summer transfer window.

The Reds were keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old’s performance during their clash at Anfield in April and are believed to have been impressed by what they saw.

Wharton has emerged as one of their leading targets after what has been a disappointing season, but it will take a significant offer to prise him away from Palace.