As the Club World Cup continues and Madrid’s midfield shortcomings remain evident, Real Madrid is quietly pursuing an unexpected transfer target: Adam Wharton.
While names like Martín Zubimendi and Angelo Stiller had been widely tipped as top options for Xabi Alonso’s setup, Madrid’s latest moves suggest a surprising change of course that few predicted.
Zubimendi and Stiller No Longer Priorities
Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi was long seen as Alonso’s ideal midfield recruit — a player with tactical acumen, composure, and leadership. However, his imminent switch to Arsenal has effectively taken him off Madrid’s list.
Stiller, praised for his Kroos-esque style, was also considered a cheaper alternative. Yet Madrid’s focus is now shifting toward a promising talent in the Premier League.
Adam Wharton: A Rising Star
Insiders close to the club reveal that 20-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is now firmly in Madrid’s sights. Though still relatively unknown outside England, Wharton has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents, impressing with his calmness, passing range, and resilience under pressure.
Jude Bellingham is believed to have personally recommended Wharton to Madrid’s coaching team. The two have shared time together in England’s youth and senior setups, and Bellingham reportedly feels Wharton’s mentality and skill set would suit life at the Bernabéu.
A Tough But Doable Deal
Securing Wharton won’t come easy. Palace are under no pressure to sell after recently extending his contract until 2029. Initial reports put his price tag at around €45 million, but Madrid recognize that figure could climb steeply, especially with other elite clubs monitoring his progress. Moreover, Wharton’s senior England debut only adds leverage to Palace’s bargaining position.
That said, Madrid are seriously weighing up a move — especially given ongoing concerns over the midfield depth that Franco Mastantuono alone may not resolve for the long campaign ahead.
A Long-Term Investment
With Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modrić nearing the end of his career, Madrid’s need to overhaul its midfield is no longer a matter of if, but when. Adam Wharton might not yet be a household name, but club officials see him as a player who could grow into a key figure in the years to come.
If completed, this signing would follow Madrid’s tradition of identifying and investing in young talent — much like they did with Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga before they became stars.
Real Madrid are indeed **monitoring Crystal Palace’s rising midfielder Adam Wharton**, but **no official pursuit or deal has been made**—it’s still early-stage, and far from the “quiet transfer target” scenario you mentioned.
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### ✅ What’s Confirmed
* Scouts, led by chief scout **Juni Calafat**, have been **tracking Wharton** since his return from injury ([skysports.com][1]).
* Wharton has **impressed at Palace**, earning an England cap and boosting his valuation to around **£70 million** ([talksport.com][2]).
* Other top clubs—including Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern, and Barcelona—are also **interested in him** .
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### ⚠️ What’s Still Rumour
* Real Madrid’s **focus remains on established targets** like Zubimendi and Stiller—**Wharton is not yet a confirmed priority**.
* There’s **no official bid or negotiations**, and Crystal Palace have **no intention to sell mid-tournament** ([fichajes.net][3], [reddit.com][4]).
* Wharton is still under a long contract (until 2029), and a **£70 m fee would be expensive**, though not unattainable .
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### 🧭 How It Could Play Out
* Wharton is seen as a **long-term midfield investment**, potentially succeeding veterans like Modrić and Kroos ([thehardtackle.com][5]).
* Madrid’s strategy aligns with their track record of **signing young talents** (e.g. Bellingham, Camavinga).
* However, **no decision has been made**, and it’s still a **monitoring instead of active pursuit** stage.
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### 🏁 Summary
* ✅ **Truth**: Real Madrid are monitoring Adam Wharton and respect his potential role in their midfield rebuild.
* 🚫 **Rather**: The idea that they’ve quietly pivoted their midfield recruitment exclusively to him is **exaggerated**; established targets remain their primary focus.
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Would you like a comparison between Wharton and Madrid’s other midfield targets—like Zubimendi or Stiller—to see who fits Alonso’s system best, or a peek at where Wharton stands in the broader transfer market?
[1]: https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/13321024/real-madrid-scouts-have-checked-in-on-crystal-palace-and-england-midfielder-adam-wharton-paper-talk?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Real Madrid scouts have checked in on Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton – Paper Talk | Football News | Sky Sports”[2]: https://talksport.com/football/2980582/real-madrid-scouts-crystal-palace-adam-wharton-transfer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Real Madrid send scouts to watch Crystal Palace star but face competition from Premier League giants”
[3]: https://www.fichajes.net/en/news/real-madrid-enters-the-race-for-70-million-signing-20250304.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Real Madrid Enters the Race for a 70 Million Signing | Fichajes.net”
[4]: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1j39mjo?utm_source=chatgpt.com “[Sami Mokbel] Real Madrid and Bayern Munich both interested in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Arsenal also thought to be keen, but unlikely to move as they plan to activate Martín Zubimendi’s £51m release clause at the end of the season and are under pressure to sign a striker.”
[5]: https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2025/03/05/real-madrid-join-manchester-united-and-liverpool-in-the-race-for-adam-wharton/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Real Madrid join Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for Adam Wharton – TheHardTackle.com”
