Man City target 'outstanding' £18m Rodri replacement in blow to Crystal Palace and Arsenal

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Crystal Palace may have to brace for January transfer interest in a player who only recently arrived at Selhurst Park.

Manchester City are believed to be preparing a January transfer swoop for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in a bid to fill the gap left by a season-ending injury to midfield linchpin Rodri.

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The Spanish international suffered knee ligament damage in the meeting against Arsenal last month and the Champions confirmed that the 28-year-old would not play again this campaign. That is a huge blow for Pep Guardiola's hopes of retaining the Premier League title with Rodri a Ballon d'Or nominee and widely regarded as the heartbeat of the City team.

Manchester City consider January transfer swoop

It's no surprise to hear that Manchester City are keen on finding a replacement once the transfer window opens again in January and Football Insider report that Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton may be the ideal option. The 20-year-old is a name that the outlet believes 'keeps cropping up' at the Etihad Stadium, with a move made all the more favourable as the player would count towards the top flight's homegrown player quota.

Adam Wharton has impressed since joining Crystal Palace.Adam Wharton has impressed since joining Crystal Palace.
Adam Wharton has impressed since joining Crystal Palace. | Getty Images

TEAMtalk also carried reports of Manchester City interest in the former Blackburn Rovers man with Manchester United also believed to be sniffing around at the potential for a January transfer. Wharton only arrived at Selhurst Park in January 2024 in an £18m deal but has gone on to impress.

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The midfielder received his first senior call up to the England side in May and was part of the squad for Euro 2024 in Germany this summer. Wharton has been frequently praised for his Eagles performances and any Manchester City coup for the player would certainly be a blow for Arsenal hopes that the Rodri injury could spell trouble for Guardiola's title charge.

Arsenal know Wharton is ‘outstanding’

The Gunners know just how much of an asset Wharton would be for their Premier League rivals. Speaking about his England teammate this year, Declan Rice said: “He’s been outstanding In training, he impressed a lot of the players. He’s so composed and calm on the ball. He played his first half of the season in the Championship, he’s [come into the England team] from Crystal Palace now.

“He's got a beautiful left foot, really crisp passing. And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He's still obviously only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family and I know he's one who won't take it for granted.

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“You know, he'll be ready when called upon. I think you see the other night how composed he is and he's ready for the big stage. I think he's one of them that doesn't get fazed by big things. So yeah, two great additions [Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo] and I’d say the future is looking bright for England in midfield."

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