

Real Madrid is looking to the Premier League for a long-term midfield solution, and Crystal Palace's 21-year-old Adam Wharton has become their top target. In spite of losses that have weakened the core of their most successful era, the club's interest follows a summer in which three defensive reinforcements arrived, but no midfielder was added. Wharton is seen by Real Madrid as Toni Kroos' replacement, who resigned during Euro 2024.
Xabi Alonso campaigned for Martín Zubimendi last summer, but Real Sociedad's €60 million [$70 million] asking price was too much for Madrid to accept, and the Basque midfielder finally joined Arsenal. Palace is unlikely to sell the English midfielder for less than €80 million [$92 million]; therefore, he won't be cheap. Given the increasing interest from Europe, the London club's negotiation position is strengthened by the fact that his current deal expires in 2029.