‘Liverpool turn attention to signing Adam Wharton’
Liverpool are plotting a move to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 21-year-old ticks plenty of boxes for Arne Slot’s side.
However, Palace will demand “huge” money for Wharton as they are very reluctant to lose the midfielder who was signed for £22million just 18 months ago.
The Reds have listed a new midfielder among their priorities this summer, after Football Insider revealed Liverpool want to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba.
Wharton is believed to be among their top targets for the position, with his age, ability in possession and homegrown status all seen as key assets.
Liverpool are not the only side in for the Palace star, though, as Brown told Football Insider in February that Man City scouts have been tracking Wharton.
Liverpool plot swoop for Adam Wharton as Palace stance revealed
Football Insider revealed last month that Palace aim to keep hold of Wharton alongside the likes of Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta beyond the end of the season.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has echoed those claims while insisting Liverpool have ambitions of tempting him to move to Anfield.
“Adam Wharton is a very, very talented player,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s an excellent passer of the ball, he keeps it moving and plays a big role in the middle.
“Plus, he’s only young and he’s already an England international, so that ticks a lot of boxes.
“At Liverpool, he wouldn’t be required to sit as deep or break up play as much as he is at Palace.
“Personally, I have concerns that when the game is against them he isn’t always the best and getting his foot in and the game can sometimes pass him by.
“But their scouts will be aware of that and they’ll know whether they think it’s an issue, because it’s very rare Liverpool are in situations like that.
“So his primary role would be to get on the ball and help them in possession – which he’s very good at.
“Certain players are suited to certain clubs and certain ways of playing, so the criticisms I have of his game at Palace would be far less of a problem at Liverpool.
“From what I’ve seen and heard, he is going to be one of the top targets in the summer.
“It won’t be easy to do, because Palace want to keep their best players and build on what they’ve done this season, so it could cost a huge fee for him to move.”
Eberechi Eze update emerges after Man United swoop
Another Crystal Palace star who has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer is Eberechi Eze, in the wake of his FA Cup semi-final performance.
Brown told Football Insider that Eze is prepared to turn down Man United in favour of a move to Liverpool if he leaves Selhurst Park.
The 26-year-old does not believe a move to Old Trafford would be beneficial for his career and is prepared to be patient and wait for alternative options.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool want to sign Eze, although they have concerns about whether he would be able to step up.
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