Newcastle United have been linked with a third Crystal Palace star ahead of a busy summer for the Magpies.
The Mail report that sporting director Paul Mitchell is preparing to make four signings in addition to Antonio Cordero in the next window with a goalkeeper (likely James Trafford), a right-sided centre back, right winger and a versatile attacker on our wishlist.
A pair of Eagles have already been linked with Newcastle. Marc Guehi chatter dominated transfer talk throughout last summer and Jean Phillipe-Mateta emerged as a potential Callum Wilson replacement last month, but a third name from the South London side is now being reported as a summer target.
Newcastle in the mix for another Palace star?
Newcastle are showing interest in Palace midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of what promises to be a busy summer on Tyneside, according to GiveMeSport.
The 21-year-old England international has also attracted interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa. Palace have no desire to sell the midfielder and could demand at least £50m, but recognise it will be difficult to keep Wharton at Selhurst Park.
Spurs strengthened in January with the arrivals of Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Antonin Kinsky, while Villa brought in Donyell Malen, Andres Garcia, Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi. Newcastle meanwhile have not made a significant first team signing in three windows.
If all three are competing for his signature, the race for Europe could become all the more important. Spurs have it all to do in 13th, but Villa and Newcastle are both pushing for the top five, which should be good enough to secure Champions League football this season.
Right player, wrong position
As good as Wharton is, it’s hard to imagine a £50m-rated midfielder being one of Mitchell’s top priorities this summer, given the need to invest at the back and in attack.
An impressive talent who clearly has high potential, Wharton was watched closely by Newcastle scouts during his time with hometown club Blackburn Rovers before he instead switched to Palace.
Newcastle currently have a nailed on midfield three when Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are all readily available, with Lewis Miley impressing this calendar year and coming through into the first team.
Wharton would also not come cheap and certainly wouldn’t arrive as a squad player. IF one of our midfielders was sold this summer, maybe this one could be possible given his age and our long-term admiration, but it feels like we have other priorities to address in goal, at centre-back and on the right side of our attack.
