Nottingham Forest have 'got the money' for Adam Wharton move - transfer expert

Nottingham Forest should be using their £116million Elliot Anderson bounty to make an approach for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

That is according to experienced former Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Anderson's move to Manchester City could be confirmed this week, after a record fee for a British player was agreed.

Wharton has also been linked with a big-money move this summer, with the likes of Manchester United said to be particularly interested.

The 22-year-old has a contract at Selhurst Park until 2029 and enjoyed a superb season, playing a key role as Palace won the Conference League.

Wharton was snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for England's World Cup squad, and may feel that he must make a move in order to become a regular.

Bryan King: 'Everybody's got a price'

There has been plenty of talk about the fee that Man City have paid for Anderson, but Nottingham Forest are undoubtedly losing a vital player.

The midfielder was crucial in their fight to avoid relegation, and the asking price reflected that importance.

Transfer chiefs at the City Ground now face the difficult task of replacing Anderson, with several names already linked.

Curtis Jones and Lucas Bergvall are reportedly players looked at by Nottingham Forest, but King has tipped them to look elsewhere.

"Well, who do you replace him with? Do you go down to Crystal Palace and take the boy, Wharton? Very similar player, but they've got the money," he told Football Insider.

"How much will Crystal Palace want for him? So how far does £116m go to replace a £116m pound player? I don't think it's going to go very far."

"I'd say players like Wharton would immediately come into my head. Very similar player to Anderson. He would be a player that I would go after if I was in Nottingham Forest, whether they could buy him I don't know. But there again, everybody's got a price, haven't they?"

Where could Wharton end up this summer?

Should Nottingham Forest attempt to pull off the unthinkable by signing Wharton, they could face competition.

Man United's interest is well established, and after the Red Devils missed out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham, they could look elsewhere.

The North London club are looking for another midfielder, too, as well as Arsenal and Man City, with all three sure to be tracking the 22-year-old.

Liverpool could well be side that need Wharton most, however, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in desperate need of support this summer.