Manchester City make Crystal Palace long-term transfer target – player deemed ‘ideal’ for Pep Guardiola

Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton has been identified by Manchester City as a future transfer target.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers for just £22.5million in January, has been rewarded for an incredible few months at Selhurst Park by making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this year’s European Championship summer.

Wharton was retained in the 26-man squad to travel to Germany next week as Manchester City star Jack Grealish was one of seven shock omissions from an initial 33-man training squad.

The midfielder has made 16 Premier League appearances since moving to south London and made 26 appearances for Blackburn in the Sky Bet Championship during the 2023/24 campaign.

Wharton’s impressive performances at Crystal Palace have already led to further transfer speculation, with the Englishman linked with a sensational move to a number of top European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Interest in the young midfielder is rife ahead of the European Championship, with Wharton also impressing against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park for England on Monday night.

Manchester City are expected to make midfield additions this summer, with the Sky Blues facing the prospect of a squad overhaul amid exit rumors surrounding a number of senior members of Pep Guardiola’s first team.

The Premier League champions have made major English additions from the top flight in the past, with Grealish completing a £100m move from Aston Villa and John Stones signing from Everton.

Wharton could join that growing list after the 20-year-old was “identified” as part of Manchester City’s succession planning, with the Crystal Palace midfielder named as a “long-term” transfer target by to Etihad bosses, according to Dom Smith. .

The Englishman is considered an “ideal” fit for the Sky Blues’ midfield, which is set to be revamped this summer as Guardiola faces the potential exits of Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Matheus Nunes.

Wharton is not expected to be targeted by Manchester City this summer, although the Premier League champions consider the midfielder a “possible” future addition.

Manchester City have been linked with a £100m move for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer, with the Brazil international having an active release clause until the end of the month at St James’ Park.