Liverpool to launch offer for £65m England midfielder | OneFootball

Liverpool last had a midfield refit back in 2023.

Then-manager Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke oversaw deals for several midfield stars while allowing a host of big names to depart.

Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were acquired at considerable cost while Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left.

There are signs however that the Premier League champions’ current midfield options need an overhaul.

Reds need extra help in midfield

The load has been heavy over the past season and a half with Gravenberch and Mac Allister’s form in particular taking a dent.

Add in the uncertainty around Curtis Jones - who has been targetted by Tottenham - and Endo and you can see why Richard Hughes may see midfield as his next big priority position.

We have seen links in recent weeks to Sandro Tonali and Ayyoub Boouaddi - but the Anfield club could come back in and strike for a different long-term target.

Liverpool to launch offer for Wharton

These are tumultuous times for Crystal Palace. Captain Marc Guehi has left for Manchester City, top striker Jean-Philippe Mateta looks set to leave for Juventus or elsewhere and Oliver Glasner the head coach has handed in his notice.

Liverpool may well capitalise on the chaos in South London by striking a deal for 21-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton. The England international is out of contract in 2029 but could be available for a base fee of £65m according to a new report in Fichajes.

Signing Wharton could well free up Gravenberch to play further forward while loosening the defensive constraints on Szoboszlai in the years ahead.

© Anfield Watch

LFC ahead of "big six" for Wharton

Hughes needs to safeguard Liverpool’s midfield future for the long term and starting with Wharton would be a wise move. The former Blackburn youth has become one of the most in-demand midfielders in England since joining Palace in February 2024.

He has won an FA Cup and a Community Shield at Selhurst Park - as well as earning full international honours for the Three Lions.

Liverpool are currently ahead of their so-called “top six” rivals for a Wharton deal according to the report.

“Despite strong interest from other "Big Six" clubs, Liverpool appear to be leading the race thanks to their solid long-term project.”

We wait to see how these negotiations pan out.