Man United finalized the signing of £65m Premier League highly rated Midfielder on a seven years deal as player set to arrive Today for Man united Medical
Manchester United’s plans for the summer transfer window have received a timely lift, with fresh reports suggesting the club’s pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has become significantly more realistic as preparations for a midfield rebuild gather pace.
After years of patching problems rather than properly addressing them, United are finally placing the centre of the pitch at the heart of their recruitment strategy. The belief inside Old Trafford is that sustained success will only return once control, intelligence and balance are restored in midfield.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson remains the preferred option. Since leaving Newcastle United two seasons ago, the 23-year-old has grown into one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders, catching the attention of virtually every major club in England and across Europe. That level of interest is expected to push his price sky-high and make any deal extremely competitive.
United have also kept a close eye on Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. The 21-year-old Cameroon international was heavily scouted last year before a move failed to materialise. Although his club form dipped at one stage this season, his commanding performances at the Africa Cup of Nations reminded observers why he is so highly rated.
Wharton represents the third major option on United’s shortlist, and his profile is notably different. The 21-year-old is seen as a stylistic throwback to caretaker manager Michael Carrick — not physically imposing or aggressively defensive, but blessed with a cultured left foot, sharp positional sense and a calm authority in possession. His intelligence and ability to dictate tempo across all phases of play are qualities United believe have been missing for far too long.
Inside the club, Wharton is viewed as a rare talent capable of instantly bringing order and composure to the midfield. There is a growing feeling that his game is built on footballing intelligence rather than raw power, much like Carrick in his prime, and that such traits would allow him to take charge of matches at Old Trafford.
Earlier expectations suggested that all three midfield targets could command fees in excess of £100 million, driven by inflated Premier League valuations. While that may still apply to Anderson and Baleba, Palace’s stance on Wharton appears to have shifted. Reports indicate the south London club are now prepared to listen to offers starting around £65 million, having accepted that this season is likely to be his last at Selhurst Park.
Palace are said to have an understanding with Wharton that he will remain fully committed for the remainder of the campaign as they chase European qualification under Oliver Glasner, before assessing his future in the summer. The revised valuation reportedly includes a base fee of around £65 million, with additional bonuses attached.
That reduced figure could prove pivotal for United. It opens the door to signing Wharton while still allocating significant funds towards another elite midfield addition, potentially allowing a double reinforcement in one window. Such a move would dramatically reshape the squad and free up resources to address other problem areas through player sales.
With Tottenham emerging as United’s main rival for Wharton — rather than Manchester City or Liverpool — the pathway to completing a deal appears clearer, making this midfield overhaul feel more achievable than it has in years.
