Manchester City are said to have made Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton a long-term transfer target, but are unlikely to pursue him this summer.
The 20-year-old has made the cut for the final England squad ahead of Euro 2024, having made his senior international debut in Monday’s 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. City could see several midfielders leave this summer, with Kalvin Phillips expected to exit and Matheus Nunes' future reportedly uncertain.
So City could seek a player who can step in when Rodri needs a rest. Wharton fits the bill, he operates as a defensive midfielder at Palace and also has the capability of playing as an eight. The Standard reports City have made Wharton a future target while Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.
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The Blues are also thought to be one of many European outfits keeping tabs on 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves but he has a £102m release clause in his Benfica contract, which is putting them off a pursuit.
Wharton is set to be the subject of intense transfer interest but Palace boss Oliver Glasner is expected to make efforts to keep the Three Lions star, who still has five years on his contract at Selhurst Park.
England boss Gareth Southgate - who omitted Jack Grealish from his final squad - said he will not prevent his players from discussing their club futures at Euro 2024.
"I’ve never banned players from having [transfer] discussions," he said. "It’s a fact of life, even if transfers don’t complete, talks are ongoing, normally across the summer with players, I’m always there for them if they want to bounce things off.”
