Bayern Munich reportedly see Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as the solution to their midfield conundrum and could swoop for him this summer.
The Bundesliga giants are in the market for a defensive-minded midfielder – despite the chance that Joshua Kimmich will stay after reportedly snubbing a reunion with Hansi Flick at Barcelona.
Vincent Kompany was confirmed as Bayern’s new boss on Wednesday afternoon and joins a team in need of some refreshment after a disappointing season.
Bayern missed out on Wharton in January and there have already been reports that they are lining up a £60m bid for the 20-year-old. Palace bought him off Blackburn for £22.5m in January.
Now The Independent claims that Wharton has finished top of many of Bayern’s analysis points in their search for a new midfielder.
Bayern Munich reportedly see Adam Wharton as the answer to their midfield desires
Thomas Tuchel had wanted to recruit a defensive-minded player to play holding midfield instead of Joshua Kimmich (pictured)
Vincent Kompany has been announced as Bayern’s new boss after an extensive search
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Wharton’s stunning form at Palace, where he helped propel them to 10th in the Premier League under Oliver Glasner, has caught the eye.
It has earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
England fans could see him in action on the senior stage for the first time in friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.
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Baby-faced Adam Wharton might not look like an elite footballer but he plays like one… the Euros may come too soon but he has the exact profile Gareth Southgate and England need
Southgate has until midnight on June 7, the day England play Iceland, to submit his final squad for the tournament in Germany.
‘Adam Wharton transferred in the middle of the season and adapted to the Premier League really well,’ Southgate said.
‘[Wharton] has only just got into our Under-21s group but we have seen enough to know that he is a player who we would like to see more of and find out a bit more about.
‘[He is a] good technician – he can handle the ball really well. He’s got a calmness about him that I really like. Palace have found a system that really suits him with a back three behind. There are bits we need to find out about that.
‘He is in a good moment, he is confident and we are keen to find out more about him.’
Gareth Southgate has included Wharton in his provisional squad for the Euros in Germany
Wharton won the second-most tackles and second most duels of any Palace player this season in just four months, some proof of the defensive aptitude Bayern are looking for.
Thomas Tuchel was eager to recruit a defensive midfielder this season as he saw Kimmich as more of a number eight, an assessment which reportedly brought him into conflict with the player and the squad.
