Report: Liverpool still in the race to sign £100m-rated midfielder

Report: Liverpool still in the race to sign £100m-rated midfielder Liverpool Transfer Latest: Adam Wharton Interest Grows as Curtis Jones Nears Exit Liverpool are giving serious thought to a move for Adam Wharton, with Crystal Palace’s midfielder emerging as a leading option if Curtis Jones completes his expected transfer to Inter Milan. According to Caught Offside , the Merseyside club are ready to intensify that interest as Andoni Iraola shapes his midfield before the window closes. The key detail is straightforward. Jones is described as “closing in on a switch to Inter Milan”, and that creates an immediate question for Liverpool over whether they need to act. Wharton is viewed internally as a player who could help fill that gap, particularly because he can operate from deeper areas and dictate tempo. The report adds that Iraola “has approved the idea of bringing the 22-year-old to Anfield”, a notable development given the head coach’s influence on squad planning. Wharton’s profile is easy to understand. He is calm in possession, progressive in his distribution and tactically mature for his age. In theory, his arrival could allow Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai to play with greater attacking licence. Adam Wharton Price Poses Major Liverpool Transfer Question Any admiration comes with a serious financial warning. Palace are said to value Wharton at around £78m, while “some sources have suggested their demands could rise towards £100m”. That figure alone makes this one of the more complicated Liverpool transfer stories of the summer. Photo: IMAGO There is also the issue of Palace’s stance. The source states there has been “little willingness to sell”, while talkSPORT is said to have reported that Wharton “expects to remain at Crystal Palace for the coming season despite considerable transfer interest.” Those are not small obstacles, they are central to the deal. Even external praise underlines his growing reputation. Declan Rice has called Wharton an “outstanding” midfielder, which only adds to the sense that Liverpool would be buying a player with both present quality and substantial long-term upside. Timing Could Define Liverpool Midfield Plans From Liverpool’s perspective, the interest makes football sense. From a market perspective, it looks far less simple. Palace hold all the leverage, the player appears settled, and the price is firmly in premium territory. With Jones departing, Liverpool may need clarity quickly, but urgency can distort value. For now, this feels like a situation to monitor closely rather than one racing towards a conclusion. Wharton fits the profile, but unless Palace soften their position, Liverpool may decide patience is the smarter route. Our View As an unsure Liverpool supporter, this is one of those links that feels both exciting and slightly uncomfortable. Adam Wharton looks a terrific player, and you can absolutely see why the club would like him. If Iraola wants control from deeper midfield, then Wharton does appear to tick plenty of boxes. The line that he is an “outstanding” midfielder certainly does not feel exaggerated. At the same time, the numbers are hard to ignore. If Palace really want £78m and could push for £100m, that is a huge outlay for a player who may not even be available. When a report also says he “expects to remain at Crystal Palace for the coming season despite considerable transfer interest”, it naturally makes supporters wonder whether Liverpool would be forcing an opportunity that is not truly there. There is also the Curtis Jones angle. Replacing a home-grown player who understands the club with a massive signing carries risk, especially if it happens late in the window. Wharton may well be good enough to justify major investment in time, but supporters will want confidence that this is a strategic move, not a reactionary one. My feeling is mixed. If Liverpool can bring the fee down and the player is genuinely open to the move, it is easy to get behind. If not, trusting the current midfield group for now might be the more sensible call.