The upcoming January transfer window could see Manchester City dip into the winter market.
After losing Rodri to a season-ending knee injury back in September, Pep Guardiola said City could sign a midfielder in January to replace the Spaniard.
Since then, City have been linked with various midfielders across Europe ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
Recent weeks have seen the Citizens lose six and draw one of their seven previous matches, which has highlighted how much their squad could do with some strengthening at the earliest opportunity.
Now though, some behind-the-scenes details have come to light regarding a midfielder the Blues have been linked with since even before the season started.
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Transfer expert assesses Adam Wharton transfer possibility
When asked by Manchester City News about the possibility of the champions making a January swoop for Adam Wharton, GRV Media’s transfer expert, Graeme Bailey, gave this verdict on the topic.
He said: “Adam Wharton’s not leaving any time soon. He’s a player who the likes of City, Arsenal, Liverpool, all looked at before he left. He didn’t take a chance and he’s obviously barely played this season.
“Long-term he’s a player that City know, they like. But that would be one for next summer at the earliest.”
Wharton has ‘the world at his feet’ according to Joel Ward
Back in June, it was reported that City see Wharton as a long-term heir for Rodri.
More recently, it was claimed that Txiki Begiristain is a big fan of Wharton.
Another person who has a high opinion of the midfielder is fellow Crystal Palace player Joel Ward – who praised Wharton by saying this about him earlier this season.
He said: “I think he’s got the world at his feet.
“He’s a young lad and he’s very mature, very wise and plays the game and reads the game and understands the game so well.
“His ability on the ball and his vision and what he’s seeing ahead of time is pretty impressive.”
This season has seen the 20-year-old start nine of the 10 matches he’s appeared in, although he has missed Palace’s five previous Premier League matches due to a groin injury.
Now that Bailey has all but ruled out a January exit from Selhurst Park for Wharton, City may have to look elsewhere to fix their midfield issue next month.
Looking beyond that, if the Manchester club feel that the Palace star would be a suitable addition to their ranks, they may have to prepare themselves for a potential bidding war in order to land a deal for him.
