Newcastle United are reportedly stepping up their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is becoming a hot commodity in the upcoming transfer market.
The 22-year-old England international, despite significant summer transfer speculation, remained at Selhurst Park. However, it's becoming increasingly likely that Crystal Palace will struggle to keep hold of him next year. Newcastle are now closely watching the situation, joining rivals Liverpool and Chelsea in tracking Wharton, who is seen as a perfect fit for the midfield rebuild under Matthias Jaissle.
According to TEAMtalk, Wharton is anticipated to depart Palace within the next two transfer windows, possibly as soon as January. Newcastle are currently waiting for more definitive signs before making an official move, but they could become more active if Crystal Palace signals that a deal is on the table.
Liverpool are known to be strong admirers, especially after parting ways with Curtis Jones without bringing in a direct replacement. Chelsea, meanwhile, are also monitoring Wharton as they plan for their long-term midfield strategy. Despite the interest, Crystal Palace are in a strong financial position, with Wharton's contract running until 2029 and his valuation reportedly set at a minimum of £75 million.
Wharton's potential move to Newcastle makes strategic sense. Following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle has been rebuilding their squad. Wharton would offer a distinct profile, bringing possession control, progressive passing ability to break defensive lines, and tempo-setting capabilities from a deep midfield position. At just 22, he aligns perfectly with Newcastle's strategy of acquiring young talent with significant potential for growth and future resale value.
The main challenge for Newcastle will be the intense competition. Liverpool could offer Champions League football and a guaranteed starting role in midfield, while Chelsea possesses substantial financial resources. Newcastle will need to act decisively if Crystal Palace decides to open negotiations. While £75 million is a considerable sum, Wharton is already proven in the Premier League and is still several years away from reaching his peak performance.
