Crystal Palace have sent an uncompromising message to the Premier League elite: Adam Wharton is not for sale.
Manchester City became the latest powerhouse to knock on Selhurst Park’s door, launching a preliminary inquiry for the 22-year-old midfielder. Pep Guardiola’s successor Enzo Maresca faces a major midfield rebuild after losing Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Tijjani Reijnders, while Newcastle continue to target Nico Gonzalez. City have already splashed $158 million (£125m) on Elliot Anderson and retain an interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, yet they view Wharton as an ideal long-term partner for Anderson in a new-look double pivot.
Palace, however, shut down City’s approach instantly. South London hierarchy maintain zero intention of letting their prized asset leave before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Palace hold a commanding position at the negotiating table. Wharton’s contract at Selhurst Park runs through 2029, leaving Chairman Steve Parish and the board under no financial pressure to sell.
Having paid Blackburn Rovers $29.92 million (£23.5m) for Wharton in January 2024, the Eagles now value the England international at around £100 million. Palace bosses view Wharton as the fundamental building block of their team, especially following his instrumental role in guiding the club to a historic 2025 FA Cup triumph the club’s first major trophy and subsequent UEFA Conference League success.
Deadline Drama
Palace’s resolute stance will sound eerily familiar to Liverpool. The Merseyside club retain a long-standing interest in Wharton to fix their own midfield, but Anfield officials remain haunted by last summer’s Marc Guehi saga.
When Liverpool attempted a late swoop for Guehi 12 months ago, Palace stood firm and pulled the plug on deadline day. Having watched the Eagles refuse to budge then, Liverpool know that engaging in a late bidding war for Wharton would prove equally futile.
Wharton’s rapid rise justifies the monstrous price tag. The midfielder clocked up 53 appearances across all competitions last season, delivering a goal and seven assists while acting as the tactical engine room for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Despite making 96 total appearances for Palace and earning four senior England caps, Wharton suffered the disappointment of missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad. That omission, however, only fuels Palace’s desire to keep him. The club recognize his world-class ceiling and expect him to anchor their midfield for years to come—unless a suitor triggers a record-breaking fee that Palace simply cannot refuse.
