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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 15 March 2026 10:30, UK

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Crystal Palace hope to keep Adam Wharton and will demand at least £70million from Liverpool to sign him this summer.

The Reds are among the clubs interested in signing Wharton as he continues to shine at Selhurst Park under Oliver Glasner.

The 22-year-old has made a name for himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising midfield stars, with starts in 26 of the Eagles’ 29 league games so far.

Palace are still hopeful of keeping Wharton beyond this summer despite widespread interest in his services, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.

Liverpool’s summer transfer plans are set to centre around signing one or two top players, rather than splashing out on six, like last year.

Palace want to keep hold of Adam Wharton despite interest from top clubs

Wharton has registered seven assists in 39 appearances for the Eagles in 2025-26, and looks set to go to the World Cup with England this summer.

Palace have struggled this season, especially compared to the last, but they continue to hold out hope that the 22-year-old will stay, even with numerous bigger clubs like Liverpool eyeing a move for his services.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “You’ve got the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and others abroad who are very much interested in Wharton.

Palace, I’m sure, are aware of the growing interest in him. They’ll be hoping they can keep him at least for another season as he’s under contract until 2029.

“Palace are well aware of what happens when the bigger clubs come calling for their star players. I think it would be a huge fee to try and prise him away.

“You’re probably looking at around £70million plus for such a young player who has shown huge potential and can get better as well.

“It’ll be an open race for Wharton if there is any indication he can be prised away from Palace this summer.

“I think you’ll have most of the Premier League big guns and then you’ll have some of Europe’s top clubs looking at him as well.”

Liverpool eyeing move for Frankfurt star Nnamdi Collins

Arne Slot needs more centre-back reinforcements ahead of any other position this summer, especially as Ibrahima Konate’s future at the club beyond the end of his contract remains unclear.

Sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool want to sign Frankfurt’s Collins as he shines for the Bundesliga side while they chase Champions League qualification.

Arsenal are also interested in his services, however, so another battle could ensue to land his signature, similar to how top clubs raced to sign Marc Guehi and Jeremy Jacquet in January.