Man City and Tottenham ‘race to sign Adam Wharton’ hots up after ‘huge’ twist
Man City are Tottenham are racing to complete the signing of Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace in 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 has been closely watched by both clubs this season.
However, a summer exit from Selhurst Park is likely to cost a “huge” fee as Palace are keen to keep hold of the player who has been a crucial part of Oliver Glasner’s side.
This comes after Football Insider revealed that Tottenham want to sign Wharton this summer as he fits the profile of player Ange Postecoglou is looking to sign.
Man City, meanwhile, are long-term admirers of the central midfielder, after Football Insider revealed in October that Wharton was among the contenders to replace Rodri.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has also been keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s performances and has been in attendance at Selhurst Park in recent weeks.
Wharton was a part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, a show of how highly-rated he is at St George’s Park despite not playing a single minute at the tournament.
Man City and Tottenham scouts watching Adam Wharton
Brown told Football Insider last month that Man City scouts have been watching Wharton following his return to Glasner’s starting XI after a long-term injury.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the midfielder is continuing to impress interested parties.
“I hear Man City and Tottenham have been keeping a close eye on him,” he told Football Insider.
“I think both of them could look to sign him in the summer if their scouts decide he’s good enough now to make that step up.
“For me, I had concerns about him when he joined Palace from Blackburn.
“I know his qualities and what he can do, but I wasn’t completely convinced about how he could deal with the pace of a game when it’s going against him.
“I’ll give him his due, he’s improved since he’s been at Palace and he’s impressed a lot of people.
“It seems Thomas Tuchel is a fan as well, he’s been watching him at Palace in recent weeks.
“But from Crystal Palace’s point of view, they don’t want to let him go.
“If you look at their side – they’ve got Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta as the real spine of that team.
“Building around that you’ve got players like Eze, Sarr, Lacroix and others.
“Guehi looks like he will be leaving in the summer, and they don’t want to lose too many players from that spine because then it starts to become a problem when you’ve got to replace them.
“So as far as Wharton’s move goes, I think it would take a huge fee for Palace to accept it.”
Pep Guardiola eyes squad overhaul after John Stones exit latest
The potential signing of Wharton at Man City comes as Pep Guardiola is keen to overhaul his squad come the summer transfer window.
The midfield is expected to be a key area amid concerns about futures of the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Rodri.
However, a new centre-back remains a key area for improvement after Brown told Football Insider that City are prepared to sell John Stones, 30, amid concerns about his fitness.
City are also considering potential replacements, while the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov was fast-tracked in January to provide an additional option at the back.
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