Adam Wharton is suddenly the name on every Premier League club’s wish list. Liverpool’s hunt for a midfielder has been a subplot running longer than some Netflix dramas, and now the 21-year-old Crystal Palace sensation is the latest protagonist. Signed for £18 million just last year, Wharton’s value has skyrocketed to a reported £60 million—proof that good things in football appreciate faster than your rent.
Adam Wharton in the Spotlight
What makes Wharton special? He doesn’t just tidy up midfield scraps; he dictates tempo, presses with intelligence, and makes passes that whisper rather than shout. Palace plucked him from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024, and he has since elbowed his way into England’s Euro 2024 squad. Naturally, bigger sharks—Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, and now Liverpool—are circling.
Adam Wharton and Liverpool’s Midfield Math
Liverpool’s midfield has been under construction for years. With Fabinho and Henderson gone, and Alexis Mac Allister more often auditioning as a defensive midfielder than a free spirit, there’s still a hole the size of Anfield itself. Wharton, and his mixture of calmness and dot comings, is just the man to fill the bill. The 21-year-old has no fear and is experienced enough to be able to run the sprint-to-survive game of the Premier League.
Author’s Take on Adam Wharton
Here’s the rub: £60 million for a kid with less than two years of top-flight football? Risky. But Liverpool have spent more on less—remember Aquilani? This feels different, though. Wharton has the makings of a long-term anchor, not a stopgap. If Liverpool truly want to future-proof their midfield, they’d be foolish not to test Palace’s resolve.
Wharton and the Transfer Tug-of-War
January promises drama. United fancy him, Chelsea hoard midfielders like Pokémon cards, Newcastle crave young English stars, and Liverpool? They need him the most. Palace fans may want to hold their ears—because when the music stops, Wharton will almost certainly be dancing in a bigger ballroom.
