Liverpool tipped to accelerate Adam Wharton move after latest transfer mission

Adam Wharton has emerged as a leading transfer target for Liverpool with Crystal Palace now bracing to receive offers.

Following the announcement that Andoni Iraola has been appointed as the new Reds manager, they are now keen to get on with what could be a busy summer.

The 22-year-old played a key role in Crystal Palace's Conference League success and picked up the player-of-the-match trophy in front of watching scouts.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool's recruitment team have been very impressed by Wharton's over the last season.

As a result, they could now step up their plans to land the midfielder, despite Crystal Palace having been hopeful of keeping him around.

Could Liverpool make a move for Adam Wharton?

Brown told Football Insider in April that Liverpool could make an offer for Wharton after being impressed by his performance when Palace travelled to Anfield.

While that game, as with the Conference League, is unlikely to be decisive by itself, it has reaffirmed the club's opinion that he would make a differnence to their side.

Despite having missed out on Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup, Wharton remains very highly rated, and Liverpool could now make a move.

"There have been a lot of eyes on Adam Wharton," Brown told Football Insider.

"I was watching him closely in the Conference League final, and I think that's the best I've seen him play, and he was outstanding for Crystal Palace.

"He broke up play, moved into spaces between the lines, fed the forward players, and showed everything that I had previously been concerned about.

"The thing is for Crystal Palace, I'm not the only person who will have been impressed, and scouts from top clubs will have been keeping a close eye on him.

"Liverpool have been long-term admirers and I have no doubt they will have had people at the game to keep an eye on him.

"After that performance, I think he's backed up all of the positive talk about him and showed he can perform at the highest level, so Liverpool will be impressed.

"It wouldn't surprise me now to see them make a move for Wharton, having been tracking him, and they could make it difficult for Crystal Palace to keep him.

"Those types of performances can often make the difference, on the biggest stage, if there were any doubts before, so Palace will be bracing for offers."

How do Crystal Palace feel about selling Wharton?

Despite growing interest from Liverpool and other top clubs including the likes of Real Madrid and Man United, there is also a feeling he could stay at Palace.

The Eagles are determined to keep hold of their best players following the departure of Oliver Glasner and the success that he brought to Selhurst Park.

Brown told Football Insider on 3 June that Crystal Palace are confident of keeping Wharton and are working hard to prevent any move away.

Winning trophies and playing in Europe could convince Wharton to remain in South London, as they prepare for their inaugrual Europa League campaign.

Much could also depend on their next managerial appointment, with the Eagles hoping to show ambition and build on their recent success.