Manchester City to pile more transfer misery on Crystal Palace as plans to sign £22m star takes shape

Pep Guardiola knows a good midfielder. The Spanish, multiple title-winning manager is reportedly planning a swoop for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, who has excelled in the Premier League since joining the Eagles from Blackburn for £22 million.

Five months after making the career-defining jump from the Championship to the Premier League, he’s already a full England international. He has pushed out more established players and earned his spot in the Three Lions team at the Euro.

According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, Wharton has many admirers at the Etihad and is being marked as the ideal long-term replacement for Rodri, the fulcrum of Manchester City's juggernaut that has won four Premier League titles. Wharton fits the bill; he operates as a defensive midfielder at Palace and also has the capability of playing as an eight. The Evening Standard also reports City have made Wharton a future target while Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.

Top European Teams Looking to Raid Palace

This summer is going to be tough for the Eagles, who ended the season on a high with five wins from their last six games. German side Bayern Munich have already landed the first blow after agreeing to trigger the release clause of exciting forward Michael Olise. Tottenham have been strongly linked with midfielder Eberechi Eze, while City is now looking at Wharton, who only joined the club in February.

The 2023/2024 season ended on a high for the Eagles, with fans looking forward to what they could become under new manager Oliver Glasner. However, the level at which top teams are looking to raid them will be a massive test of their ambitions.

Despite all the goodwill their rivals Brighton and Hove Albion received during the campaign for playing in Europe and constantly bringing in talent at a high rate, Palace finished above them in the league and fans will hope their team is not decimated before it even starts.