Manchester United shifts their attention towards a new prospect to strengthen their defensive midfield ranks.
Following the decision to step away from pursuing Brighton‘s Carlos Baleba, the Red Devils have now set their sights on Crystal Palace‘s rising star, Adam Wharton, as a promising alternative.
Manchester United’s initial focus on Baleba
Throughout the summer transfer window, United prioritized securing Baleba as their top midfield reinforcement.
Brighton, however, remained resolute in retaining their young talent, setting a steep asking price rumored to surpass £100 million. This figure proved too steep for Manchester United, especially after their considerable outlays on signings such as Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko late in the transfer period.
Despite Baleba’s openness to a move to Old Trafford, negotiations with Brighton failed to materialize. With that avenue closed, Manchester United has begun to investigate other midfield options, with Adam Wharton quickly rising as a top contender.
Adam Wharton: The emerging alternative for Manchester United
Wharton is considered by United’s management as a more budget-friendly and tactically compatible choice to fit their current squad dynamics.
According to The I Paper, manager Amorim holds Wharton in high esteem. The club has already made formal inquiries regarding the player and views him as a practical fallback option for the next summer transfer window, anticipating that Brighton will maintain their firm stance on Baleba’s transfer.