Manchester United are allegedly lining up a £60 million bid for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who could be one of the transfer deals of the year in 2025. The England man has been a terrific signing since his £22m arrival from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 and has immediately emerged as one of the English top-flight’s most exciting young midfield talents.
At only 21, Wharton has been instrumental in Oliver Glasner’s Palace team, assisting them to a historic FA Cup victory last season and a Community Shield win prior to this current campaign. His ball control, positional sense, and tempo dictating skills have impressed a number of big clubs.
United are prepared to test Palace’s resolve with a £60 million approach, confident that the player’s ambition to compete in European football might influence negotiations.
Manchester United Midfield Plan
Manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly an admirer of Wharton’s technical proficiency and tactical intelligence. With Casemiro approaching the twilight of his playing days and Kobbie Mainoo being rumoured to be on his way out, Amorim is looking to recess a midfielder who can provide the foundation for years.
Wharton’s consistency has been exceptional — 53 appearances and six assists across all competitions since joining Palace. His passing accuracy sits at 87%, while he has impressively completed every take-on attempted this season. Manchester United fans online have already voiced excitement, calling Wharton “the missing piece” in their midfield rebuild.
Even Rio Ferdinand weighed in earlier this year, insisting that United should focus on Wharton rather than Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, after the Seagulls demanded over £115m for the Cameroonian. The club’s recruitment team reportedly agrees, viewing Wharton as more affordable and Premier League-ready.
Palace’s Position and Player Outlook
The message to Palace is straightforward — it’s that Wharton is not for sale unless they get an offer they cannot refuse. It was a stance which chairman Steve Parish echoed earlier this week, saying in a statement that the midfielder is “fully focused on helping the Eagles push for a top-half finish.
Parish also denied the club is negotiating Oliver Glasner’s contract renewal only, indicating that they want to hold on to the manager and major players as well. Palace’s scheme is picking up momentum, and losing Wharton halfway through the season would be a big blow.
Still, interest is mounting. And reports say Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on proceedings. Wharton’s tactical intelligence and composure under pressure help him stand out among few English midfielders who could slot into various European styles of play.
With his deal running to 2029, Palace are under no immediate pressure. They are aware of what they’ve got — a young English player who has already tested himself against the best and could bring more money in later windows.
Author’s Opinion
From a strategic point of view, Manchester United’s pursuit of Adam Wharton is ambitious yet reasonable. Under Ruben Amorim, United are rebuilding with intent — signing players who combine technique with work ethic. Wharton fits perfectly: young, composed, adaptable, and English, aligning with the club’s current recruitment plan.
For Palace, selling Wharton now would go against their progress under Glasner. The midfielder is the epitome of Palace’s new self — young, bold, and ambitious. A January transfer seems improbable unless United offer considerably more than the £60 million mentioned, particularly with other suitors around him.
For Wharton, patience could be key. Staying another season at Selhurst Park may refine his game further before a move to a top-six side. Yet with United’s midfield overhaul in motion and Amorim eager to reshape his core, this could still become one of 2025’s most talked-about transfer stories.
If United truly want Wharton, they’ll need more than money — they must convince Palace that they can offer the right future for one of England’s brightest stars.
