Real Madrid scouting Crystal Palace star ahead of potential summer move | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s Interest in Adam Wharton: A Sign of His Rapid Rise

Crystal Palace Midfielder on the Radar of Europe’s Elite

Crystal Palace have become accustomed to seeing their brightest talents attract interest from Europe’s elite clubs, but the latest name in the spotlight is one that has ascended with remarkable speed. Adam Wharton, just months into his Premier League career, is already being monitored by Real Madrid, according to the Daily Mail.

Scouts from the Spanish giants have reportedly been tracking the 21-year-old since his return from hernia surgery, with chief scout Juni Calafat believed to be a strong admirer of the English midfielder. This level of interest suggests that Wharton’s performances at Palace have not gone unnoticed on the global stage.

Photo: IMAGO

England Call-Up and Growing Market Value

Wharton’s progress has been swift. Having joined Palace from Blackburn Rovers in a £22 million deal, his stock has already soared, with reports suggesting he is now valued at around £70 million. His impressive return from injury, highlighted by a man-of-the-match performance in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa, has only enhanced his reputation.

Photo: IMAGO

His form has not only drawn attention from Madrid but also placed him in contention for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. With a place in this summer’s European Championship potentially up for grabs, Wharton’s next few months could be career-defining.

Premier League Giants Monitoring the Situation

While Real Madrid’s interest is significant, they are not alone in tracking Wharton’s development. Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool have all been linked, though priorities in the summer transfer window may dictate whether they formalise their interest. City, in particular, were said to have considered a move in January before opting for Nico Gonzalez from Porto instead.

Photo IMAGO

Palace, meanwhile, are bracing for a summer of speculation, with Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Jean-Philippe Mateta all attracting attention from top clubs. The South London side will be determined to keep hold of their best players, but as history suggests, resisting Europe’s biggest names is never straightforward.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Crystal Palace fans, the prospect of losing Adam Wharton so soon after his arrival is a worrying one. This is a player who was supposed to be part of the club’s long-term future, a midfield cornerstone to build around. Now, mere months after securing his signature, talk of a move to Real Madrid or one of the Premier League’s elite raises questions about whether Palace will ever be able to break free from this cycle.

There’s no denying Wharton’s quality. His composure on the ball, tactical intelligence, and ability to dictate play from deep make him a standout holding midfielder, something Madrid have lacked in recent years. But from a Palace perspective, the hope was always that he would develop at Selhurst Park rather than become yet another high-profile departure.

The club’s track record suggests they won’t sell cheaply—especially given his value is already being quoted at £70 million—but if Madrid come calling, how realistic is it to expect Wharton to stay? If he continues his current trajectory, it may not be a question of if he leaves, but when.

For now, Palace fans will relish watching him in midfield, hoping that any move—if it happens—is at least delayed for another season. After all, keeping hold of their best players is the only way the club can push towards greater ambitions rather than constantly rebuilding from scratch.