‘Man City lead race to agree £80m+ Adam Wharton deal’
Man City are currently the front-runners in the race to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.
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 City are “big fans” of the 20-year-old amid doubts about their current options.
However, Palace value the midfielder upwards of £80million this summer and hope their lofty demands will be enough to deter interested clubs.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Palace aim to keep hold of Wharton alongside the likes of Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta beyond the end of the season.
Man City view the midfielder as a potential long-term replacement for Rodri while they are planning a wide-scale overhaul of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Brown told Football Insider that City scouts have been tracking Wharton after his return from injury in February as they continue to keep tabs on his progress.
Man City lead Liverpool in race to sign Adam Wharton
Brown told Football Insider on 30 April that Liverpool have joined the race for Wharton who is now among their top targets to strengthen in midfield.
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 explained neither side are likely to meet Palace’s demand and he could remain at Selhurst Park.
“Crystal Palace want around £80million for him if not more,” he told Football Insider.
“They want to keep him and they hope that price tag will put people off.
“I don’t think clubs will be willing to pay that at the moment, but he has plenty of admirers.
“Man City are set to lose De Bruyne and there are some doubts about the futures of Gundogan and Rodri, and we know they’ve been watching Wharton.
“The question for them is whether Wharton is good enough to replace somebody like Rodri.
“At the moment I must admit I’m not convinced, but that’s not my decision to make, it’s theirs and I hear they’re big fans of his.
“City have got a rebuilding programme to do, it started in January and they’re going to try to continue that over the summer.
“Whether Wharton is a part of that, we’ll see, but he’s definitely on their list.
“I’d say of the interested clubs they would be most likely to go for him.”
Florian Wirtz update emerges amid Bayern Munich latest
As part of their ambitious plans for the summer transfer window, the midfield has become a key target for City, and a number of star names are on their radar.
Brown told Football Insider on 6 May that Man City want to sign Florian Wirtz and will do everything possible to convince him to join them ahead of Bayern Munich.
City believe they have a chance beating their rivals to the midfielder and have been working behind the scenes to reach an agreement.
Football Insider revealed on 19 April that Wirtz is Man City’s top target to replace De Bruyne, but Bayern are currently the favourites for his signature.
For more Man City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.