Rivals retreat, Chelsea persist with Wharton

The picture regarding the future of Adam Wharton, one of the most talked-about names of the Premier League's summer transfer window, is becoming clearer. According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea remain engaged in contacts over Crystal Palace's 22-year-old English midfielder; the London club is reported to be continuing talks with the player's representatives to explore possible conditions.

A notable narrowing has taken place in the race for Wharton, who was one of the Premier League's most sought-after midfielders at the start of the summer. Liverpool, who were ready to push past £70 million in mid-June, cooled their interest due to internal changes in their recruitment strategy. Manchester United's stance has similarly weakened; the club is said to have been deterred by the soaring fees attached to players of Wharton's profile. Tottenham, meanwhile, have stepped away from the race entirely after committing a total of £185 million to Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

On Crystal Palace's side, the valuation bar is set very high. According to reports, the club is expected to demand a figure in line with Elliot Anderson's £116 million move to Manchester City, using it as a benchmark; that valuation has already discouraged several suitors. With rivals retreating, Palace's confidence in keeping Wharton is also reported to have grown.

It is emphasized that Palace feel no pressure to sell Wharton, who has a contract until 2029 and played an important role in the club's FA Cup and Conference League triumphs. Although Chelsea's contacts continue, the current market climate, Palace's valuation and the retreat of the other major clubs make a short-term breakthrough difficult. The course of the transfer will be followed with interest in the coming weeks.

Source: CaughtOffside
Image: BBC Sport