‘We have a plan’ – Adam Wharton’s agent reveals what’s next amid Manchester United transfer interest

Adam Wharton’s agent James Featherstone has revealed what is next for the Crystal Palace star.

The midfielder has thrived since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester United have been linked.

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He played a huge role in Palace winning the first trophy in their history with the FA Cup.

He is a massive part of Oliver Glasner‘s team, but they could face a battle to keep him.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sam Matterface and Gabby Agbonlahor, Featherstone revealed how he is trying to progress Wharton’s career.

From early on, he thought Wharton could be an England regular.

He said: “I was sat in his brother’s kitchen, and Adam hadn’t even made his debut for Blackburn Rovers yet.

“There were question marks over his physicality, but we said, ‘let’s aim for the stars. He can play for England.’

“So what do you have to do to play for England? Well, you need to play in the Champions League.

“To play in the Champions League, you need to play for one of the top teams in one of the top leagues.

“He was at Blackburn Rovers at the time, so the easiest path would have been to get into Blackburn’s team and then get promoted to the Premier League because that jump to a Champions League team at a young age, you can get lost.

“So, the plan underneath Champions League was Premier League, and at the time, Blackburn were in or around the play-offs.

“They ultimately ended up down the other end of the league, and that was when the move to Crystal Palace happened. We had a lot of different options.

“But I absolutely knew Palace was the right environment. We had players in the dressing room who understood the culture, and felt it would be the perfect step for him on that journey.

“It’s two years next month, and to have won an FA Cup and played for England; they are the bit you take and run with.”

Specifically on Wharton’s future, he said: “We’ve got a plan.

“It doesn’t have to be achieved right at this moment.

“He’s got his in-game and in-season goals, so he’s got to do his bit, and the rest will take care of itself in a very structured and calm way to ultimately maximise his talent.”

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Wharton’s future

It’s clear that Wharton would like to play in the Champions League.

His agent said it in this interview, and Steve Parish has also confirmed it as well.

Now, Palace have never played in UEFA’s elite competition, but they are currently fourth in the Premier League and are very much involved in what looks to be one of the biggest European battles in a long time.

However, if the Eagles don’t make it into the Champions League, it’s possible something could develop next summer for Wharton, especially if he is involved for England at the World Cup.

The 21-year-old joined Palace from Blackburn in January 2024, and there have been several reports suggesting Man United would offer £60million for Wharton.

In truth, that feels quite cheap when you look at some of the prices for players in the summer transfer window.

And it is actually unclear just how much the Eagles would demand for Wharton.

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Another point is that Man United are below Palace in the table and finished 15th last season.

There is no guarantee that they will even get any European football this year, never mind the Champions League.

But Parish does think Wharton will want to be among Europe’s elite soon.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I think Adam at some point will want to play either in the Champions League with us, if we can make that happen, or probably with another club. 

“He’s an extraordinary talent. I think right now, and I can’t speak for Adam, but I think he’s focused on his time at Crystal Palace.”

Specifically on Man United, he said: “If Manchester United want Adam Wharton, that’s nothing surprising really about that.

“The fact of the matter is he’s got a long contract to run. There’s no pressure on us to do it, and I don’t think there’s any real pressure from the player either.”