Crystal Palace could lose another key man as Liverpool eye £80m-rated Adam Wharton

Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace representatives over the signing of Adam Wharton this summer.

The England international has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park for quite some time, after a stellar couple of seasons for Oliver Glasner’s side.

Reports suggest Wharton has already given his word to Liverpool about signing a five-year-contract.

Liverpool could be willing to pay £80million to secure the midfielder’s services.

Wharton’s departure would be another significant blow for the Eagles, who have already had a difficult January so far.

Liverpool want Adam Wharton: Can things get any worse for Crystal Palace?

It’s been a nightmare couple of weeks for Crystal Palace fans. After raising their profile with FA Cup victory last season and European football this campaign, it was only a matter of time before big clubs started sniffing around the club.

That time has come for Palace, and unfortunately, it has all come at once.

They may be called the Eagles, but it’s vultures who have gathered around Selhurst Park this January. After clinging on to their captain amid interest from Liverpool back in August, Manchester City stole Mark Guehi for a cut price of £20m earlier this month.

Meanwhile, star striker Jean Phillipe-Mateta has expressed his desire to leave the club this month, with Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest amongst those interested in signing the forward this month.

Palace are also set to lose Glasner at the end of the season, with the frustration of losing key players seemingly taking its toll on the Austrian boss.

Losing another key player would be another massive blow for Palace in what is becoming an increasingly turbulent season for their fans.

Adam Wharton wants Champions League football

All the signs suggest Wharton is looking for a move away from Selhurst Park.

In an interview with Sky Sports last year, the Palace man spoke of his ambitions to play in Europe’s Premier competition.

“Champions League, if you can play in it, you want to,” Wharton said.

However, with Liverpool struggling this season, it could be that the signing of Wharton hinges on the Reds securing a top-four finish this season.

Liverpool still face stiff competition for Wharton’s signature, with Champions League rivals Manchester United and Real Madrid also admirers of the Palace midfielder.

Liverpool in need of a long-term No 6

Despite spending £450m in the summer transfer window, Liverpool are still looking to strengthen their squad, with Wharton key to their plans.

The signings of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have seen the Reds go backwards this term, after hopes of storming to back-to-back titles in pre-season.

Their spending spree saw several players head in the other direction, including midfielders Harvey Elliot and Tyler Morton.

The consequence of this busy summer is that Liverpool’s squad remains unbalanced. After signing three attack-minded players, the Reds believe the signing of defensive midfielder Wharton would help address this imbalance without affecting their firepower up front.

It is hoped that Wharton would have a similar impact to Fabinho at Anfield. The Brazilian defensive midfielder was signed in 2018 and played a pivotal role in protecting Liverpool’s defence whilst Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino fired the Reds to Champions League and Premier League glory.