Interest is heating up as Liverpool join Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in pursuit of arguably the most coveted young midfielder anywhere in the Premier League.
Now, when most managers are asked to comment on the talents of a rival footballer linked with a summer switch to their club, they often tend to bat away the question with a curt ‘no comment’.
But not Pep Guardiola.
The Manchester City boss can never resist the temptation to wax lyrical about a player he admires from afar.
And, as the soon-to-be dethroned Premier League champions prepare to host Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, the mention of Adam Wharton had Guardiola singing the praises of the man who could yet break Declan Rice’s record and become the most expensive English footballer in history.
TBR Football reported a fortnight ago that Crystal Palace feel Wharton is a £100 million man in the making.
Liverpool have been tracking the England international since his flying start to life at Selhurst Park in early-2024. And while the expectation is that Wharton will stay for another season at Crystal Palace, bids in the region of the fee Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice could yet make the former Blackburn Rovers starlet one of the stories of the summer.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesPep Guardiola hails Adam Wharton as Liverpool and Manchester City eye England ace
Guardiola, of course, was never going to talk openly about Man City’s interest.
The 2023 Treble winners have placed Wharton – an elite deep-lying playmaker who’s ability to dictate proceedings ensures he is tailor-made for Guardiola’s system – high on their wishlist.
The number six role is also one their North West rivals may look to strengthen.
Liverpool missed out on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi while also suffering a similar fate in pursuit of Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. While Alexis Mac Allister has thrived at the base of Arne Slot’s midfield, the potential departure of a 32-year-old Wataru Endo does threaten to leave the runaway leaders somewhat light in what has become something of a problem position.
“[Wharton is] an excellent holding midfielder,” Guardiola says. “He was in the national team already. The impact has been really good coming from the Championship to the Premier League.
“A brilliant left foot. A really good player.”
Alexis Mac Allister staying at Liverpool amid Wharton interest
In a week in which Ryan Gravenberch’s agent talked up a switch to Real Madrid – he would love to see the Dutchman at the Santiago Bernabeu – questions were also asked about the aforementioned Mac Allister.
Fortunately, while Crystal Palace are determined to hang onto Wharton, Liverpool are under no pressure to let either Gravenberch or Mac Allister go with the duo tied down to long-term contracts.
Mac Allister has been mentioned in conjunction with Real Madrid too. The Argentine’s father, however, insists that the £35 million signing from Brighton will remain a Liverpool player for a long time to come yet.
“For now, I don’t think so,” Carlos Mac Allister said when asked if Alexis could depart in the near future. “Time will tell. Alexis is very happy where he is.
“He lives in Manchester, and on the block where he lives is [Andy] Robertson, [Joe] Gomez, and four blocks away is [Manchester United defender and Argentina teammate] Licha Martinez.