Liverpool Targets Adam Wharton After Curtis Jones Departure
Liverpool’s midfield reshuffle is gathering pace. Curtis Jones is on his way to Inter Milan, and the Anfield hierarchy are now preparing a push for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as they look to reload in the centre of the pitch.
The Merseyside club have already been busy. Victor Munoz has arrived permanently from Osasuna, Jeremy Jacquet has joined from Rennes, and Ronald Araujo is in on a season-long loan from Barcelona. At the same time, they are locked in a drawn-out pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with talks dragging for weeks as Andoni Iraola searches for new firepower after Mohamed Salah’s surprise switch to Trabzonspor at the end of last season.
Jones, though, is the headline departure in midfield. Fabrizio Romano delivered his trademark “here we go” on Wednesday, revealing that Inter and Liverpool had reached a verbal agreement on a €35m package for the England international, with terms settled with the player and medical tests being lined up. Jones has since been filmed arriving in Milan to finalise the move, closing a significant chapter in his Anfield career and leaving a sizeable gap in Iraola’s squad.
That gap has quickly sharpened Liverpool’s focus.
Iraola gives green light for Wharton pursuit
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are “targeting an ambitious move” for Wharton as a direct response to Jones’ exit. Sources cited by the outlet say the club are ready to accelerate their interest in the Crystal Palace midfielder, with Iraola giving his approval to the plan.
The 22-year-old’s profile fits neatly with what Liverpool want from the base of their midfield. His ability to dictate tempo from deeper areas is seen as a platform that could unleash Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai higher up the pitch, handing Iraola more freedom to tilt his side towards the attack without losing control in build-up.
The problem is Palace. The Eagles are in no mood to sell one of their prize assets and are understood to value Wharton at around £78m. That figure instantly turns any approach into a major test of Liverpool’s resolve and budget, especially with other areas of the squad – notably the forward line – also under active reconstruction.
Rice’s glowing verdict underlines the appeal
Wharton’s rise has not gone unnoticed at international level either. Declan Rice has already gone public with his admiration for the midfielder after working with him in the England setup.
“He’s been outstanding,” Rice said in June 2024. “In training, he impressed a lot of the players. He’s so composed and calm on the ball. He played his first half of the season in the Championship, he’s [come into the England team] from Crystal Palace now.”
Rice highlighted Wharton’s technical quality and mentality as key strengths. “He’s got a beautiful left foot, really crisp passing. And all round, just a really down-to-earth boy who wants to learn. He’s still obviously only 20 years old, but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family and I know he’s one who won’t take it for granted.
“You know, he’ll be ready when called upon. I think you see the other night how composed he is and he’s ready for the big stage. I think he’s one of them that doesn’t get fazed by big things. So yeah, two great additions [Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo] and I’d say the future is looking bright for England in midfield.”
That kind of endorsement only strengthens Palace’s hand. It also underlines why Liverpool are so keen.
With Jones boarding a new adventure in Milan, Salah gone and the Barcola chase still unresolved, Iraola’s first Liverpool squad is being rebuilt in real time. The question now is simple: will Fenway Sports Group pay the price it takes to make Wharton the next pillar of their new-look midfield?
