Real Madrid are reportedly 'rubbing their hands together' at the prospect of Adam Wharton joining the Spanish giants this summer, according to AS. The Spanish outlet reported that Wharton making himself available has made him genuine prospect for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid are the latest club to show interest in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to Spanish media.
Wharton has reportedly decided to leave Selhurst Park this summer, according to The Sun, and several elite European clubs have been put on alert as a result.
The 22-year-old joined Palace from childhood club Blackburn Rovers in 2024 and has become one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.
Wharton played a hugely important role in Palace’s FA Cup and Community Shield double in 2025 and has once again been massively important as the club push for Conference League glory this season.
His decision to leave Palace is reportedly down to wanting to play in the Champions League next season and beyond and Manchester United, who will need to replace the outgoing Casemiro, are particularly interested in Wharton.
Manchester City are also after a midfielder, with Bernardo Silva set to leave the club this summer, but they appear more interested in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
But teams are beginning to form outside of England who also admire Wharton , one of which is Real Madrid.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are also in the market for a midfielder and Wharton could well fit the bill.
The article reads: “Another team looking for midfielders is Real Madrid
“[Alvaro] Arbeloa’s team is clear that it wants to reinforce that position and will enter the transfer market to find one.
“This midfield transfer would be completely separate from that of Nico Paz, who, barring any unexpected turn of events, will return to the Bernabéu.
“To date, Real Madrid has no clear target, but Wharton is on their list.
“Real Madrid are rubbing their hands together at Wharton's decision to leave, as he's one of the best midfielders on the market, and his insistence on leaving would lower his price and facilitate the transfer.
“If the player wants to play for Real Madrid, he'll have to turn down more tempting offers.”
Wharton has played 84 times for Crystal Palace since joining in January 2024 and if Palace are to go all the way in the Conference league, he will likely play in all 16 European matches in one season.
Wharton also made his fourth England cap in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night and seems destined to go to the World Cup this summer for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Will he join England teammate Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid this summer? That is something Palace fans will hope does not happen, but which is appearing more and more likely, unfortunately.