£60m premier league star top target for Manchester United

Man Utd Eye Adam Wharton in £60m Midfield Shake-Up

Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in what could be one of the most surprising transfer moves of 2026. Credit goes to The Mirror, who revealed that club bosses believe a £60million bid would be enough to test Palace’s resolve.

“Ruben Amorim has kept close tabs on Wharton’s progress at Selhurst Park and has become a huge fan of the midfielder,” reads the report. The Portuguese coach is understood to be convinced that the 21-year-old has the technical abilities to be a huge success at United.

Midfield Overhaul Incoming

United failed to secure midfield reinforcements last summer which has left Amorim leaning heavily on Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. That pairing has now come under scrutiny. According to the report, both Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are expected to leave Old Trafford, with Mainoo lined up for a January loan move to Napoli and Casemiro out of contract next year.

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“Amorim could find himself short a midfielder before the end of the season,” the article adds, which explains the urgency behind the Wharton pursuit.

Wharton’s Meteoric Rise

Wharton’s journey has been remarkable. From breaking through at Blackburn to joining Palace for £18m in February 2024, his ascent has been relentless. He quickly earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, then established himself as a key figure for Oliver Glasner as Palace secured FA Cup success and European qualification.

Palace have shown a willingness to sell, allowing Eberechi Eze to join Arsenal for £67.5m last summer while Michael Olise departed for Bayern Munich the year before. A deal structure could therefore be achievable, especially if Wharton signals interest in Old Trafford.

Questions Over Fit and Timing

Spending £60m on a player still early in his development carries risk, but United were happy to invest £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha during the previous window. The strategy is clear: sign players before they become unattainable.

Word inside United suggests Amorim wants Wharton to be the “heartbeat of his next-generation midfield” and the move could accelerate as January approaches.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, this feels like another bold swing rather than a structured rebuild. Adam Wharton is talented, no question. He is calm in possession, positionally intelligent and already looks like he belongs at the highest level. But is he ready to anchor United’s midfield from day one? That is asking a lot of a 21-year-old who has only just settled at Palace.

There is also a feeling of déjà vu. United once signed Wilfried Zaha from Palace too early in his career and never figured out how to use him. Wharton is a different profile, more cerebral and mature, but the cautionary tale remains. If Amorim truly wants to build around him, the club must commit fully, not bench him behind established names at the first sign of pressure.

The departures of Mainoo and Casemiro will sting supporters. Mainoo going to Napoli on loan feels like poor asset management unless there is a clear plan for his return. Casemiro leaving is understandable given age and contract status, but replacing two midfielders with one could be a problem.

Still, there is intrigue. If United genuinely see Wharton as their long-term controller — their own Rodri or Rice — then £60m might end up looking like a bargain. Fans will watch this one closely. It could define Amorim’s era before it has even properly begun.