Adam Wharton transfer preference revealed as Man Utd suffer double blow | Football

Manchester United transfer target Adam Wharton only wants to join a club competing in the Champions League if he leaves Crystal Palace this summer.

A rebuild in midfield is a top priority for United this summer with Casemiro set to depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is greatly admired at Old Trafford but they will face competition from Manchester City for his signature.

Reports this week suggest the 23-year-old, who is expected to start alongside Declan Rice in midfield for England this summer at the World Cup, is more likely to end up at the Etihad with City convinced they are leading the race ahead of their local rivals.

Wharton is another target, demonstrating his class again with a thrilling performance against Tottenham on Thursday night.

A top five finish will be essential to United’s hopes of signing him however with The Sun reporting Wharton only wants to join a club who will be competing in Europe’s premier competition next season.

United have made excellent progress since Michael Carrick’s arrival in the dugout, taking 19 points from a possible 21 in his first seven games in charge to climb into third place.

But defeat to Newcastle United midweek was a reminder of the size of the task at hand. Just three points separate United, Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool – the sides likely to be challenging for the three remaining European spots behind Arsenal and Manchester City.

Fifth place is likely to be enough to secure a Champions League spot.

In addition to Anderson and Wharton, United are also interested in signing Carlos Baleba having already explored a move last summer.

But the Cameroon international has endured a tough season at the AMEX Stadium.

Former United star Wes Brown is among Wharton’s many admirers and believes the former Blackburn Rovers youngster should be the man United turn to this summer.

‘I love Adam. When we played Palace the other day I made myself have a good look at him and he is so good on the ball,’ Brown told Metro via BetMGM.

‘That would be a great asset for the club. He would cost a lot of money but it will be tough for Crystal Palace to keep another of their top players. But that position does need filling. Him and Kobbie could be a great partnership.’

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