Former Premier League midfielder Joe Ledley says he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Arsenal or Liverpool hijacked a Manchester United transfer deal.
Mikel Arteta will hope to bolster his Arsenal squad in January and boost his chances of hanging on to top-spot in the Premier League.
Liverpool were not expected to have a busy winter transfer window after spending over £400m on new players in the summer.
But Liverpool’s dismal form may have forced Arne Slot to reconsider his plans, with the club’s title defence already hanging by a thread.
Wales hero Ledley can see both Arsenal and Liverpool making moves for Manchester United target Adam Wharton.
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Wharton, 21, has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Crystal Palace 18 months ago.
United boss Ruben Amorim has expressed interest in signing Wharton as he looks to strengthen his midfield options.
A new midfielder was on Amorim’s transfer wishlist last summer but United instead focused on attacking signings, spending almost £200m on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
Manchester United will sign a new midfielder either in January or at the end of the season and Wharton is a figure of substantial interest alongside Carlos, Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Conor Gallagher.
But United could face major competition in the race to sign Wharton, with Palace hero Ledley tipped Arsenal and Liverpool to enter the battle to secure his signature.
‘It’s always going to be tricky for Crystal Palace to keep hold of their best players,’ Ledley told Gambling.com.
‘When you’re doing so well, there’s always going to be clubs floating around, trying to buy your big stars. You can’t really compete with that.
‘But Adam Wharton is a fantastic player and central midfielder. I’ve watched him a few times and he’s a really creative player, always on the front foot, always looking forward, finding those passes. He’s still young, too.
‘He’s represented England as well, so I’m sure there’ll be a lot of clubs interested in him – whether it happens [soon] or in a year or two. You want to keep your best players at Palace and he’s definitely one of them.
‘Time will tell. I think he’s had a fantastic start to the season and the end of last season, so hopefully Palace will hand out a few new contracts soon.’
Asked which Premier League clubs could launch move for Wharton, Ledley added: ‘Liverpool would be a good move for him, in that midfield area with [Alexis] Mac Allister.
‘Also, Arsenal. Those sort of teams, the ones that get on the ball and are possession-based, he would suit those. It wouldn’t surprise me if those two were interested in January or at the end of season.
‘He’s really confident on the ball, a good passer moving it back and forward, and is always on the front foot. When he has played against Liverpool, he has been fantastic against them and set up a few goals.
‘So, it wouldn’t surprise me if Liverpool or Arsenal tried to sign Adam Wharton.’
Wharton’s form for Crystal Palace earned him an England call-up last year and he is hoping to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Former Blackburn Rovers star Wharton helped Palace finish mid-table in the Premier League last season and win the FA Cup to qualify for Europe.
Oliver Glasner’s side, sitting 10th in the Premier League, are one of the favourites to win the Europa Conference League and face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Crystal Palace return to Premier League action on Saturday against bottom-placed Wolves, who appointed Rob Edwards as their new manager after sacking Vitor Pereira.
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