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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 15 March 2026 20:30, UK

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Manchester United will have to splash out at least £70million to beat the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea to the signing of Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton this summer.

Wharton is on United’s list of midfield targets ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window as he continues to shine at Selhurst Park.

They are set to be rivalled by the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea to land his signature, and any potential deal will not come cheap.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Palace will command an initial fee of at least £70m to sell the 22-year-old.

Man United’s summer transfer plans are set to focus on the midfield area, with Casemiro set to leave the club and Kobbie Mainoo’s future remaining uncertain as it stands.

Adam Wharton is a Man United target but will cost over £70m

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’s struggles this season mean he looks likely to depart, but much like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi before him, they will hold out for a hefty fee to sell Wharton to United.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season.

“There are a number of players that they are looking at, and Wharton is on that list. I think it would be a huge fee to try and prise him away as well.

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

“It’ll be an open race for Adam 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.”

Ibrahim Sangare is another midfielder on United’s radar

United could well make two midfield additions this summer, depending on who they are able to sign as their marquee acquisition and which players stay or leave.

Sources have told Football Insider that United are keeping tabs on Forest’s Sangare ahead of the next window.

He would be a cheaper alternative to most of their other targets, despite impressing for Forest throughout this campaign.

They have identified the 28-year-old as a player who could make the step up to feature prominently for an elite club, while his extensive Champions League and Europa League experience is also an attraction.