Premier League side quote €70 million price tag for Real Madrid midfield target | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s desire to sign a midfielder next summer is an open secret at this point, and several of the players they are targeting have also been clearly identified.

Kees Smit is the name that produces the most internal consensus, but Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is another who has impressed the Real Madrid board.

The idea, quite simply, is to fill the void created by the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Wharton fits in well in that sense, for he provides a hybrid of several profiles Real Madrid needs. He can be a ball controller, progressor, or a defensive midfielder based on the game state.

Price set

As relayed by AS in a recent update, Crystal Palace have seemingly come to terms with the fact that Wharton will not hang around much longer and that a big-money move is just around the corner.

Signing Wharton will require a massive financial investment. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

In that sense, they are clear that any interested party must surely exceed the €65 million mark and possibly even cross €70 million in order to secure his signing. 

Aside from the transfer fee, however, there is the aspect of the player’s salary which is expected to be massive as expected for a player of his age, talent, and potential – an additional financial responsibility on the suitors involved.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all have him on their radars, but Real Madrid also appear to be an option as he has been offered to Los Blancos. The men in white, however, are not seriously contemplating the move right now.

It is likely that the €70 million price tag pushes Real Madrid away from Wharton given that the likes of Vitinha will be available for around the €90 million mark. While it is €20 million in excess, his experience and leadership could prove invaluable.