Real Madrid is already in the United States to prepare for the first match of the Club World Cup this coming Wednesday. But the frenetic work in the offices of Valdebebas continues ahead of next season, and one of the team’s most pressing needs remains finding a defensive midfielder for Xabi Alonso’s new project. And now they are reportedly tracking an English pivot who is dazzling in the Premier League, Adam Wharton.
A gem for the midfield
Real Madrid is combing through all the options to sign a quality midfielder, while also wanting to maintain its transfer policy of signing young players with a future. A player who has been on the radar of Real Madrid and other big English and European clubs for some time now fits the bill. We are talking about Adam Wharton, a promising 21-year-old midfielder from Crystal Palace who has already been linked with teams such as Manchester City, for example.
The player was one of the sensations of the Championship with Blackburn Rovers (his hometown club) last season, 23-24, but only lasted until the winter transfer window, when Palace signed him for €20 million. He was already dazzling and began to do so with his new team, but an injury halted his progress. However, as he has regained his fitness, he has regained his form and is once again on the radar of many teams, including Real Madrid.
For many, he has superlative intelligence, an ability to make the best decisions in a very short space of time, and he seems to be completely unfazed by pressure. Although he has hardly had any playing time, he has already made his debut for the English national team and continues to show signs that he can become a huge player.
The price could be an obstacle for Florentino
It was already a problem for Manchester City when they tried to sign him. Crystal Palace will not let the player go unless someone puts €70 million on the table, a price that many consider to be out of the market. Guardiola’s team tried, but they did not agree to such a figure (and they can afford it), and opted to sign the young Barcelona academy player, Nico.
Real Madrid considers this figure excessive for a player who, although he has shown great potential, has not yet earned enough on the field to justify such a transfer fee. However, they believe he is a player who fits the club’s needs. In addition to his stated virtues, his involvement, defensive work, and commitment to the team are also taken into account, key aspects for the club’s sporting management to consider when signing a player for a position that is vital to the team’s aspirations.
Adam Wharton promises to be one of the midfielders of the future, and Real Madrid believes he is a player who can contribute a lot to Xabi Alonso‘s style of play. His high price tag could complicate the deal, but in today’s football, high prices are the norm, and an effort will have to be made to sign a reliable player in this position.
Real Madrid continues to comb the market, with much of the summer still ahead and no deals to be made until after the Club World Cup. However, they will be keeping an eye out for opportunities that arise in the coming weeks if they want to sign a player who can meet the team’s needs.