In a summer filled with significant activity, Manchester United appear to be honing in on their ‘dream target’ from a rival Premier League club. The player on their radar is reportedly eager to make the switch to the illustrious Old Trafford.
Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, the Red Devils have already splashed out over £200 million, a large portion of which has been invested in Premier League talents like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Clearly, United are intent on bolstering their squad with seasoned players to improve their domestic fortunes.
Carlos Baleba had been a figure of interest after impressing over two seasons in English football. However, with the midfielder valued in excess of £100 million, United have seemingly shifted their focus to a more attainable target.
According to our colleagues at TEAMtalk, Manchester United have identified Crystal Palace’s midfielder Adam Wharton as their new ‘dream target’. Wharton, admired by United for some time, has given positive indications regarding a potential move. He is reportedly attracted by the club’s storied history and the vision of their boss, Ruben Amorim, who views Wharton as a perfect fit for his tactical setup, thanks to his vision and composure in midfield.
While Wharton would be open to donning United’s red, the report suggests he remains ‘deeply respectful’ of his current club, Crystal Palace. The Eagles, for their part, are in no rush to part ways with the midfielder, who has amassed 45 appearances since joining from Blackburn in January 2024. With his contract running until 2029, Palace hold a robust negotiating position and are expected to demand upwards of £60 million for the playmaker.
Despite this, United’s interest is unwavering. There’s caution against dismissing a formal bid from the Red Devils before the transfer window slams shut. Nonetheless, similar expectations surrounded Baleba, and that pursuit appears to have cooled for the time being.
United face financial constraints this summer, struggling to sanction deals without player sales. Despite Wharton’s price being approximately £40 million less than that of Baleba, funding this transfer in the current market conditions still poses a challenge for the club.
In the backdrop of the transfer sagas, whispers persist regarding the €10 million issue that reportedly ‘frightened’ Juventus and Atletico Madrid off Jadon Sancho.
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