Revealed: Crystal Palace's plan to keep hold of Adam Wharton - as interest from Premier League rivals mounts over talented midfielder

Crystal Palace are making plans to offer Adam Wharton improved terms and a potential release clause as interest continues to grow in the midfielder.

Wharton was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad as the national coach stood by Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson for the holding midfield role.

Tuchel has messaged Wharton encouraging him that he is not far off selection but, regardless, he continues to excel for Palace.

The 21-year old was outstanding again on Sunday, despite Palace losing their 19-game unbeaten record to Jack Grealish's late winner at Everton. 

Indeed, his performance earned recognition from Grealish who admitted: 'Adam Wharton today... I can see the man of the match award there. I think that's coming to me. But it should have gone to Adam Wharton because, in my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch.'

Grealish isn't the only one in football to be impressed. Premier League champions Liverpool hold a keen interest in Wharton, as do Chelsea and Manchester City.

Tottenham made an approach at the end of last season, Real Madrid have watched him regularly for the past year while Bayern Munich scouts have also compiled reports and made enquiries for the youngster, who cost Palace a bargain £18million from Blackburn Rovers in 2024 and is now valued in the £75m bracket.

Wharton remains level-headed and happy at Palace, but all parties are aware he will have two years left on his contract come next summer, which is the usual juncture for discussions on new terms.

Palace's new sports director Matt Hobbs is working to improve and protect Oliver Glasner's squad, mindful the manager was left frustrated by their transfer activity in the last window.

The delay in Eberechi Eze's transfer to Arsenal plus the saga surrounding Marc Guehi's proposed move to Liverpool had a knock-on effect to their plans though Glasner felt they still should have been better prepared.

He is continuing to build and improve after collecting two trophies in recent months and taking Palace into Europe.

His work has also attracted attention from leading clubs, putting extra pressure on Hobbs to maintain a competitive squad to suit Glasner's own ambitions as well as the clubs.

Palace are already exploring the addition of talented midfielder Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar but Wharton remains pivotal to what they do.

While talks have yet to begin over a new deal, they are expected. Palace previously put a clause in Eze's contract and will discuss the prospect of doing similar in this instance.

Chairman Steve Parish has spoken openly about being realistic over players moving on from Palace to more elite clubs, albeit on the right terms, and they would want a considerable profit on one of the country's brightest midfield prospects.