Man City told what they must pay to sign Adam Wharton - 'Crystal Palace have been clear'

Manchester City have been told they will need to pay a "massive" fee if they want to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton this summer.

This comes after the Cityzens made an approach to Crystal Palace about the 22-year-old's availability, as they accelerate their attempts to land a direct replacement for Rodri.

The England international's performances over the last two seasons have placed him high on Man City's list of targets as they aim to strengthen their midfield.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that it would take a huge offer to even make Crystal Palace think about selling Wharton this summer.

Having lost Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Maxence Lacroix in the last 12 months, the Eagles are hoping to hold on to their best players beyond the end of the summer window.

Man City remain keen, and have had scouts tracking his performances at Selhurst Park for multiple years now, but look set to miss out and will be forced to consider other targets.

Could Man City make a move to sign Adam Wharton?

Brown first told Football Insider on 18 August that Man City are stepping up their interest in Wharton and view him as the ideal long-term replacement for Rodri.

Since then, City have seen an enquiry about the midfielder dismissed by Palace, with the Eagles unwilling to entertain talks over his future this summer.

Enzo Maresca has other names on his shortlist of targets to replace Wharton, however, and they may now be forced to assess those other options.

"It's not a surprise that Man City are looking at Adam Wharton," Brown told Football Insider.

"He will be high on their list to replace Rodri, but it depends on what they're going to have to pay for him, because Palace obviously don't want to lose another key player.

"Crystal Palace have been clear, it's going to take a massive fee to even tempt them to sell, because he's so important to them, and he is a huge part of their plans for the season.

"I've been saying all summer, the most important thing for them at the moment is that they keep their best players at the club, and they cannot afford to let Wharton go.

"Of course, if they were made an offer they couldn't refuse, then they would have to say yes, but until that happens there is no chance."

What sort of fee will Crystal Palace demand for Wharton?

Crystal Palace have been clear in their stance that Wharton will not be sold this summer, unless a club comes forward with an offer they cannot afford to turn down.

He has shone for the Eagles since his arrival in 2024, helping to lead the Eagles to their FA Cup and Conference League wins, and has attracted plenty of high-profile interest.

However, Football Insider revealed last month that Crystal Palace are now planning to demand upwards of £100million for Wharton and are not prepared to let him go on the cheap.

The Eagles are using City's £116million signing of Elliot Anderson and Spurs' £100million signing of Sandro Tonali as benchmarks, with Wharton in that same bracket.

There is interest from elsewhere, meanwhile, as Real Madrid and Liverpool have been long-term admirers of the midfielder and could rival City in their pursuit.