Madrid Eye Wharton as Mourinho Plots Summer Midfield Overhaul

Real Madrid could throw a spanner in the works for several Premier League suitors by swooping for Adam Wharton, with Jose Mourinho keen to bolster his midfield options at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos have already strengthened their backline with the arrivals of Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella this summer. Now Mourinho has turned his attention to central midfield, identifying it as the crucial piece in the puzzle if Madrid are to challenge for Champions League and LaLiga glory.

Bernardo Silva has already joined on a free transfer from Manchester City, but departures remain a concern. Both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni are being eyed as potential exits, creating space for fresh recruits.

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Palace have made an audacious play by offering Wharton to Madrid for a "staggering" €120m (£102.5m). However, Madrid aren't biting at that price. The Spanish side value the 22-year-old closer to €70m (£60m), meaning any formal bid would fall significantly short of Palace's ambitious valuation.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been keeping tabs on Wharton for months, with Manchester United and Tottenham potentially joining the queue. That said, a Spurs move would raise eyebrows given they've already splashed out a combined £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

The picture remains murky regarding Liverpool and United's genuine interest. Football Insider reported that Andoni Iraola has ended Liverpool's pursuit of the midfielder, leaving Palace increasingly optimistic about retaining him. United, meanwhile, have decided Wharton is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo and have instead prioritised targets like Alex Scott, Tchouameni, Andrey Santos and Felix Nmecha.

For Madrid, Wharton represents just one option among several. Mourinho has reportedly urged club president Florentino Perez to make a splash for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine playmaker who has publicly expressed his desire to move to the Spanish capital. A deal for Fernandez would command a hefty £120m (€140m).

Alexis Mac Allister and Rodri are also on Madrid's radar. Rodri presents a particularly intriguing prospect given his Manchester City contract expires next summer, potentially making him a more straightforward acquisition down the line.