Wharton Chase Cools as City's Midfield Priorities Shift
City's long-standing pursuit of Adam Wharton has gone quiet. According to The Athletic's Sam Lee, the Blues have stepped back from their interest in the Crystal Palace midfielder, with other targets now taking precedence.
The England international has been on City's radar for some time. Links first emerged in the summer of 2024, after an impressive first half-season at Selhurst Park earned him a place in the Euro 2024 squad. Pep Guardiola was a known admirer, describing Wharton as an excellent holding midfielder in April 2025.
But the landscape has shifted. Lee's update, shared via the Transfer DealSheet and a follow-up post on X, suggests City's attention has moved elsewhere. Chelsea and Liverpool remain among Wharton's suitors, though neither appears close to a deal.
The change in direction is hardly surprising. With Guardiola's departure, the club's midfield plans have evolved. Head coach Enzo Maresca and Director of Football Hugo Viana have prioritised a move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez instead.
That pursuit, however, is far from straightforward. No official bid has been lodged for the Argentine, and any approach is believed to hinge on Rodri completing his move to Barcelona. Chelsea, for their part, have held firm on their £120m valuation, despite Fernandez's clear desire to leave Stamford Bridge.
Should that deal collapse, there remains a possibility City pivot back towards Wharton. For now, though, Maresca is hoping to be reunited with his former charge at the Etihad.