Adam Wharton lined up for blockbuster Man City transfer after breakthrough into England’s Euro 2024 squad

MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly identified Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a long-term transfer target.

Wharton, 20, joined Crystal Palace in a £22.5million move from Blackburn in January and enjoyed a dazzling start to life in the Premier League.

GettyMan City want to sign Adam Wharton in future[/caption]

He quickly established his spot in Oliver Glasner’s starting line-up and made 16 appearances before the end of the campaign.

The midfielder’s impressive form warranted a maiden call-up to the senior England squad last month.

And now he is set to represent the Three Lions at Euro 2024 in Germany – just 22 months after his professional debut.

Wharton has attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent weeks, including Bayern Munich.

And The Standard now claim Man City have an eye on him.

The Premier League champions view him as a potential future signing.

City are not expected to move for him this summer, but they will continue monitoring his progression with Crystal Palace.

Wharton still has five years remaining on his deal with the Eagles.

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England fans will soon see why it’s such a joy to watch Wharton at work

AFTER Adam Wharton’s eye-catching cameo for England at St. James’ Park, the Crystal Palace midfielder was receiving praise from every angle, writes Jack Rosser.

It could easily overwhelm any young footballer – but one message from someone close to the 20-year-old perfectly summed up his approach to football.

It read: “He did great – played in a different park with a different set of mates.”

Wharton’s style has never changed and is never likely to, whether he is playing at grassroots or in Germany.

To sit and watch from the stands it may appear that the gangly midfielder is not really engaged, nonchalantly strolling around the pitch.

But his mind is whirring, several steps ahead of those around him, and once the ball arrives at his feet it is almost always sent forwards.

Wharton has played in a deeper role since arriving at Crystal Palace from Championship side Blackburn in January – but is equally as adept when he gets into forward areas.

The Rovers academy graduate can draw players in and move past them or exchange cute, incisive passes in the final third.

That is what has impressed coaches not only at Palace, but also now with England so much.

Wharton’s mind has always been his strength having been a late developer physically.

It is that vision which means he has taken to Premier League and international football with such ease.

Palace and Blackburn fans can afford themselves a quiet “I told you so” now he has been named in Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Euro 2024.

The rest of England is about to find out what a joy it can be to watch Wharton at work.

And Glasner is not prepared to let him leave anytime soon.

Discussing Wharton’s start to life in the England camp, Gareth Southgate said: “He has settled in really confidently with the ball.

“I like the fact he likes to play forward as quickly as he can.

“He sees pictures when he receives [the ball], and we have been short of these types of players for seven or eight years, if I am honest. At times, that has had an effect on the way we have been able to play.”