Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is thought to be high on Chelsea’s shortlist, but signing him will not be easy.
It has been reported that Palace have slapped a massive £100m price tag on Wharton.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea seem very reluctant to pay that fee. However, they are not giving up on signing the 22-year-old.
How much do YOU think Adam Wharton is worth? 💸
Chelsea only want to pay £50m-£60m.
Chelsea to ask Crystal Palace to bring Adam Wharton price down
Chelsea think Wharton is the ideal player for them as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, who shared an update on the Blues’ interest in Wharton on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, the club will ask Palace about his valuation and if there is anything that can be done to bring it down.
Wharton was one of the Eagles’ most important players last term, making it no surprise that they do not want to sell him.
The Englishman made 53 appearances in all competitions and helped Palace to win the Conference League.
It was not enough to earn Wharton an England call-up, but he was still very impressive during the 2025/26 campaign.
Adam Wharton not worth £100m
Wharton was unfortunate not to go to the World Cup. He was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last term.
Wharton can receive the ball, play progressive passes and tackle. That is almost everything you want from a midfielder.
Still, £100m seems quite excessive. Wharton is probably not on the level of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez just yet.
The England international obviously does not score as many goals as Fernandez, while he is not as dominant in the middle as the likes of Rice and Caicedo.
Palace will argue otherwise, and Chelsea were the ones who created this market by spending £100m plus on Fernandez and Caicedo in the first place. Palace are going to point to that when Chelsea ask them to lower Wharton’s valuation.
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