Report: Liverpool ‘favourites’ to sign Premier League star alongside major rivals | OneFootball

Liverpool ready to push for deal to sign Premier League star

Liverpool’s recruitment department rarely stands still, even when silverware is being lifted. With Arne Slot now guiding the first team, the club’s long term planning is being overseen by sporting director Richard Hughes, and the next phase of squad evolution is already taking shape. According to Football Insider, Liverpool are preparing to step up their pursuit of England midfielder Adam Wharton, a move that fits neatly into the wider reshaping of the Reds’ engine room.

Contract questions shaping summer priorities

There is an alarming uncertainty surrounding Curtis Jones, whose deal expires in 2027 and whose future appears less settled than many expected. Endo is in a similar contractual position and is widely tipped to move on, while both Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are due new agreements. The Hungarian captain’s recent comments have done little to ease concerns.

Mac Allister has also been inconsistent this season, and a strong offer from Real Madrid could test Hughes’ resolve. Against that backdrop, the need for another elite midfielder feels unavoidable, which explains why Wharton has become such a prominent target.

Wharton rise places Palace under pressure

Wharton has been one of the Premier League’s standout young midfielders since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn in February 2024. Palace’s current turmoil, which includes the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City and a slide down the table, makes them vulnerable to losing another prized asset, despite Wharton being tied down until 2029.

Football Insider reports that Liverpool are well placed. “He is more likely to be available in the summer when Liverpool, Man United and more are expected to accelerate moves to bring him in,” the outlet states. “Crystal Palace are bracing for interest in Wharton and are expecting bids to arrive in the summer window. He will remain at Selhurst Park for at least another six months before inevitable bids arrive, with Liverpool and Man United the current favourites.”

Photo: IMAGO

England recognition boosts transfer appeal

Wharton’s reputation has been further enhanced by his involvement with England. After being part of the Euro 2024 squad, he is expected to travel with Thomas Tuchel to the FIFA World Cup in North America next summer. Add in his FA Cup and Community Shield successes with Palace, and it is easy to see why Europe’s biggest clubs are circling.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report feels both exciting and reassuring. Adam Wharton looks like exactly the kind of midfielder who could thrive under Arne Slot, comfortable in possession, tactically intelligent and already battle tested in the Premier League. With Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo both entering uncertain phases of their careers, adding another homegrown England international with elite potential would be a huge statement of intent.

What also stands out is how proactive Richard Hughes appears to be. Waiting until a crisis hits has never been the Liverpool way, and moving early for Wharton would mirror the club’s smartest business of recent years. Beating Manchester United to a player of this calibre would also send a powerful message about where Liverpool sit in the post Klopp landscape.

Palace’s struggles could create the perfect opportunity, and while the fee will not be small, this is the type of investment that pays dividends for a decade. For fans dreaming of another title push and deep Champions League runs, Wharton feels like a signing who could help keep Liverpool right at the top.