£60m-rated midfield ace on Liverpool radar ahead of January window | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye £60m Adam Wharton Move to Strengthen Midfield Depth

Wharton Back on Liverpool’s Radar

Liverpool’s summer transfer window was record-breaking, but TeamTalk report that their business may not be done yet. Adam Wharton is once again on the Reds’ agenda as Arne Slot looks to add further depth to his already formidable squad.

Palace are now reportedly “willing to sell” their 21-year-old midfielder for £60m, representing a 40% drop from the £100m valuation set just months ago. Journalist Mark Brus suggests that the January transfer window could be the point where Liverpool make their move, with Wharton described by Gareth Southgate as an “unflappable operator” with elite positional awareness and vision.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot has shown throughout his short tenure that he is not afraid of making big calls or sanctioning major investment. Liverpool shattered the British transfer record twice this summer to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, underlining their ambition to dominate both domestically and in Europe.

Midfield Competition Intensifies

The move for Wharton would not be straightforward. Liverpool’s midfield is already packed with talent. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have formed a strong partnership in the centre, while Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai provide depth and flexibility.

Photo IMAGO

Were Wharton to join, he would likely need to compete for minutes in the number eight role or operate as a deep-lying six when required. This would create what TeamTalk call “a huge selection battle and present Slot with a bit of a selection headache, admittedly, a nice problem to have.”

Wharton’s ability to control games and recycle possession efficiently makes him an attractive option, especially in matches where Liverpool dominate the ball and need to maintain control.

Player’s Position and World Cup Considerations

Crucially, Wharton himself is understood to be open to a move but not actively forcing one. He is happy at Selhurst Park but also aware that playing for a Champions League side could elevate his career. However, there is a risk that reduced minutes at Anfield could impact his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Photo: IMAGO

That tension will be key to any deal. Wharton will want assurances about his role before committing to a January move. Palace, meanwhile, will be keen to maximise the value of one of their brightest academy products.

Liverpool’s Transfer Model Clear

Slot made his stance on transfers very clear when addressing the media. “In terms of the money spent for one player, that is also part of our model. It is not the first time we have done this. We did it when I was not there, the ownership did this with Virgil [van Dijk], with Ali [Becker] and now with Florian [Wirtz] now as well, this is the model we use,” he said.

Photo IMAGO

“We target a player and we want to have him. We decide what his value is, if that matches with what the club wants, then we are not afraid to act.”

This statement underlines Liverpool’s willingness to strike when the right player becomes available. If the £60m price tag holds, Wharton could be viewed as the next piece in Slot’s evolving jigsaw.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans will be excited by the prospect of adding Wharton, not only because of his talent but also because it signals the club’s refusal to stand still after a title-winning campaign. A midfield featuring Wirtz, Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Wharton would give Slot an embarrassment of riches and allow for rotation across all competitions.

There will be questions, though, about where Wharton fits. Fans have grown attached to seeing homegrown players like Jones thrive, and adding another £60m signing risks blocking his progress. Still, competition is essential for a team chasing multiple trophies, and Wharton’s composure could make him invaluable in high-pressure matches.

Liverpool’s model has always been about acting when value aligns with need, and with Palace lowering their demands, this is a rare chance to secure one of England’s most promising midfielders. Many fans will hope the club take it, because if Liverpool don’t, one of their rivals surely will.