Manchester City have reportedly sent scouts to assess the development of one of Crystal Palace's star players.
Having acquired four players in deals worth in excess of £170m during the winter transfer window, it has become apparent that Pep Guardiola has given the green light for a major rebuild at the Etihad Stadium.
Some of that talent has been integrated faster than others, yet the Spaniard is in the process of planning for the present and future with City currently down in fifth place in the Premier League table.
A number of positions will seemingly be targeted during the summer transfer window with right-back, centre-back and central midfield all areas of concern.
According to TBR Football, City are contemplating whether to pull the trigger on a bid for Adam Wharton.
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Scouts sent to watch Wharton
The report suggests that Man City representatives were in attendance when Palace played host to Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
Wharton started the game at Selhurst Park and played 87 minutes of the 1-0 success, being withdrawn shortly after the Eagles had taken the lead.
While the 21-year-old has been hampered by fitness issues for much of this campaign, he has still made 10 starts and three substitute outings in the Premier League.
When the England international has been in the team, he has generally contributed to some of Palace's most eye-catching performances and results during 2024-25.
A total of 29 top-flight outings have been made since his switch from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, with that deal having the potential to rise to £22m.
However, Palace are in a position where they can make a vast profit on Wharton should they so wish, it not necessarily an easy decision when the team are making progress under Oliver Glasner.
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Will City tempt Palace into a sale?
Theoretically-speaking, offering to pay Palace at least double what they paid Blackburn 14 months may prove to be an attractive proposal to Palace.
On the flip side, club officials are already facing the likely sale of Marc Guehi at a time when Eberechi Eze is not short of admirers.
Palace are unlikely to give the green light to three major sales at once, particularly when Glasner is also attracting interest from elsewhere.
Unless City or another club are prepared to pay over the odds, Palace may decide to repel any interest in Wharton for the time being in a move which may also benefit the player.
Darren Plant
