Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have identified Crystal Palace sensation Adam Wharton as a long-term transfer target.
According to a report from The Standard, Manchester City are interested in the services of Adam Wharton. His impressive rise has caught their attention and they have earmarked him as a future transfer target as part of a midfield succession plan at the Etihad Stadium.
While City are one of the best teams in Europe at this point, they are always on the lookout for players who can help them maintain their dominance. They feel Wharton could be a key player for them in the long run.
City want a midfield revamp
City will soon have to undergo a revamp in the midfield. Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan have already left the club while Kalvin Phillips is expected to leave in the summer. While they did sign Matheus Nunes in the recent past, he has failed to establish himself in the first team.
Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne’s futures at City are also uncertain. The Belgian international only has a year left in his deal at the Manchester-based club and there is interest in him from the Middle East. Given the current situation of their midfield, they surely need to prepare for the future and they have identified Wharton as a key target.
The 20-year-old came up the ranks at Blackburn and he was promoted to their first team in the summer of 2022. His performances for the Championship outfit resulted in a move to the Eagles in the winter. They forked out £22.5 million to acquire the services.
City view Wharton as a long-term target
Wharton didn’t take long to adjust to life in the Premier League, he featured in 16 top fight games and even contributed towards three goals. His performances have even earned him a place in England’s 26-man squad for the Euro 2024.
His exceptional rise has put him on the wishlist of multiple top clubs from across Europe. While City are keen on signing him, Guardiola’s team are unlikely to make a move in the upcoming transfer window.
They view him as a future signing and with five years still left on his deal at Selhurst Park, the Eagles are also not ready to negotiate his departure following his sensational finish to the season under Oliver Glasner.
