Manchester United could join race for midfielder likened to Wilshere
Manchester United could enter the race for Blackburn Rovers talent Adam Wharton ahead of transfer deadline day.
We’re expecting United’s full focus to be on signing a new midfielder this week – well, at least once Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has arrived.
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat appears to be the top target having worked with Erik ten Hag at Utrecht over in the Eredivisie.
Others have been linked such as Amadou Onana and Ryan Gravenberch, with those two targets offering more of a box-to-box option.
United could look at a young English talent though with one surprise rumour emerging ahead of transfer deadline day.
Manchester United linked with Adam Wharton
The Sun report that United could launch a move for Blackburn Rovers talent Adam Wharton in the coming days.
It’s stated that Crystal Palace want to make sure that they are at the front of the queue for Wharton’s signature.
Sporting director Dougie Freedman – who was at Old Trafford on Saturday as Palace close in on United goalkeeper Dean Henderson – is understood to be a big fan.
Palace are hardly alone in the race though with Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and Newcastle United also interested.
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The report claims that United could be in the race too with Wharton turning heads at Ewood Park.
We would imagine that United have looked at Wharton as a longer-term addition rather than a signing for this week, but you never know.
Rovers could strike a deal to take Wharton back on loan if they do sell him but that doesn’t sound like something United would do right now.
Funds need to put into the first team for the here and now; committing money to Wharton just to send him out on loan would be a surprise.
United have been chasing Sofyan Amrabat for months now and still haven’t landed a deal due to Financial Fair Play issues.
It’s hard to see United going for Wharton instead but he’s at least a name to keep an eye on – if Palace don’t get there first.
Who is Manchester United-linked Wharton?
Wharton was born in Blackburn and has come up through the Rovers ranks before making a professional debut in August of last year.
The 19-year-old has made rapid progress and has already played 27 times for the Rovers first team, predominantly as a holding midfielder.
There are high hopes for Wharton and he has even been compared to former Arsenal and England ace Jack Wilshere by the Daily Mail.
The best step for Wharton’s development right now is to continue featuring regularly for Blackburn, whether that means staying there or being loaned back.
Wharton isn’t quite ready to make an impact for United right now, and that’s why we think a deal for him this week is unlikely.
