Just in: ‘Outstanding’ Man Utd target keen for summer move; He was deemed ideal Casemiro heir | OneFootball

Manchester United have received a significant boost in their quest to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton next summer.

The Red Devils are planning a major midfield overhaul ahead of the upcoming transfer session, and the 22-year-old has been one of the most popular names on the shortlist.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Wharton is a youth product of Blackburn Rovers, who joined Palace in January 2024, playing an instrumental role in the club’s unforgettable 2025, highlighted by FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

Man Utd on alert as Adam Wharton wants Champions League football

The Blackburn native also has three senior caps with the English national team, where he managed to impress his international teammates, including Declan Rice, who described him as an ‘outstanding’ player.

Wharton’s exploits naturally earned him a host of suitors, especially among the biggest Premier League clubs, with many of them seeking midfield reinforcement.

According to The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the rising star is looking to seize the opportunity and make a comprehensive career step-up, as he feels that his chapter at Selhurst Park should come to a close at the end of the season.

This is certainly music to the ears of Man Utd, who have long identified Wharton as one of their main targets.

Moreover, the source adds that the player’s priority is to join a Champions League club. With the Red Devils currently sitting third in the table and collecting more points than any of their rivals since Michael Carrick’s appointment in mid-January, they appear to be on the right track to securing their place among Europe’s elite.

Is Wharton the right man to replace Casemiro?

With Casemiro’s departure being confirmed multiple times already, Man Utd are clearly seeking a new No.6.

Although he’s not exactly a like-for-like replacement for the Brazilian, Wharton has been identified as the perfect replacement by many, including former Man Utd attacker Alan Smith.

“I think Adam Wharton, playing in one of the deeper positions, would probably be more suitable for that than Kobbie Mainoo. Other than Wharton, it’s difficult to see anybody else as a standout realistically at this moment in time,” argued the 45-year-old.

While Casemiro is a battling midfielder known for engaging in physical duels and winning back possessions, Wharton shines in the build-up play, as he’s capable of picking up his teammates with clever defence-splitting passes.

So while the Palace star would add great quality to United’s team, the key is to find balance in the middle of the park by pairing him with the right teammates.