Chelsea are showing serious interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and are weighing up a move for him in January. The 22-year-old Englishman could be available for around £80 million.
The London club sought to bolster their midfield last summer following Enzo Fernandez's departure, but Crystal Palace were not in the market to sell Wharton, who himself was not pushing for a transfer.
However, opinions within Chelsea were divided on the player. While his capabilities were highly regarded, there were concerns regarding his fit within Xabi Alonso's tactical setup.
The Spanish boss predominantly employs variations of a 3-4-3 formation featuring two central midfielders. This demands significant physical exertion and a high work rate from both players in central roles.
Wharton, on the other hand, shines in a three-man midfield. His standout attributes include excellent ball-handling skills and the ability to progress attacks with incisive passes between the lines, making the role of a box-to-box midfielder, working tirelessly up and down the pitch, less familiar to him.
Despite prior doubts, Chelsea's interest in Wharton has intensified due to their escalating need to strengthen the midfield.
Another option for the Londoners is Alex Scott from Bournemouth. However, sources indicate that his club does not intend to sell the midfielder until the summer of 2027, with a deal potentially costing £100 million or more.
Wharton is available sooner and cheaper; some sources estimate a possible January transfer fee at around £80 million.
Manchester City had previously shown interest in the player, but with the recent acquisitions of Fernandez, Ayubau Buadi, and Elliot Anderson, they are likely out of the running. Wharton has also attracted the attention of Liverpool, but the Merseyside club are currently focused on Lamine Karamoko from Monaco.
