Real Madrid have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Adam Wharton. The Crystal Palace midfielder has been on the radar of several European giants, but the Spanish champions are now in pole position after Xabi Alonso personally approved the move.
Real Madrid close in on Wharton
The 25-year-old Englishman is viewed in Madrid as the perfect option to alternate with Aurélien Tchouaméni and strengthen the midfield rotation for the remainder of the European season. According to reports, Real Madrid have beaten off Liverpool’s early interest, with other clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United also monitoring the situation.
Wharton has impressed since his breakthrough at Crystal Palace, combining defensive solidity with high passing accuracy, making him one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders.
Liverpool not giving up yet
Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, are unwilling to give up the fight. The club sees Wharton as a long-term addition to the midfield and believes his arrival would add depth and balance to their squad. Negotiations are not yet underway, but TeamTalk reports that the Anfield board is preparing a strategy to compete directly with Real Madrid’s offer.
At the same time, Liverpool continue to explore other targets. Alongside Wharton, the Reds are pushing to retain Ibrahima Konaté, who has also attracted interest from Madrid, as well as Arsenal’s William Saliba.
Competition heating up
While Real Madrid appear to have the upper hand, the race is far from over. Chelsea and Manchester United have also expressed interest, and Wharton’s market value continues to rise.
For Xabi Alonso, however, the deal would represent his first major midfield reinforcement since taking charge, solidifying Real Madrid’s transition for the coming seasons.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
