Crystal Palace sign Adam Wharton: 'Future' England star eyed by Chelsea and Spurs

Crystal Palace have signed Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers. After successfully completing his medical, the 19-year-old has joined the London-based club for a fee worth up to €26m. Including all add-ons is the biggest fee paid for by any Premier League club in what has been a relatively quiet winter transfer window. It is also the biggest outgoing transfer in Blackburn's club history (overview). Wharton has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season at Blackburn and he’s one of best young players in the Championship. 

"I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and to play for such a big club like Crystal Palace is a great honour," Wharton said in a club statement. "The way they've brought players from the Championship and developed them into world-class players in the Premier League is something that stood out to me, and it's a big reason why I wanted to come here."

It represents a major coup for Palace as the talented midfielder was on the radar of a number of Premier League rivals, including Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Wharton has been scouted by several top-flight clubs this season but he now appears destined to join Palace. The Selhurst Park side have earned a good reputation for developing younger talents across recent seasons with Wilfried Zaha, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marc Guéhi, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise all rising to prominence in West London.

Wharton is sixth most valuable U21 player in the English Championship 

Wharton has earned glowing reports for his standout displays for Blackburn this season. The midfielder has been virtually ever-present, making 29 appearances and scoring two goals and three assists. However, Wharton remained on the bench during Monday night’s FA Cup win over Wrexham in a sign that his departure could be imminent. The England Under-20 international enjoyed a huge rise in value across 2023 from €2.5m to €10m and he’s the sixth most valuable U21 player in the second tier of English football. 

Crystal Palace will pay in excess of his €10m valuation to secure his services and it will likely earn Blackburn their record ever fee for a player - eclipsing Damien Duff’s move to Chelsea in 2003. Daniel Busch, Transfermarkt’s UK Area Manager, believes Wharton represents excellent business for Crystal Palace. “Wharton is set to become a complete box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League and probably for the national team in the future,” said Busch. “He is a very intelligent player, technically gifted, and has great vision. In addition to his work rate and stamina, it makes him a great signing for any top division side.”