Tottenham failed to sign elite Premier League midfielder on deadline day

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Jainil Shah | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 3:30 AM ET

Tottenham Hotspur failed in an effort to sign Adam Wharton on deadline day

Tottenham Hotspur had a busy deadline day of the recently concluded summer transfer window, which ended with the Lilywhites signing Randal Kolo Muani on a vanilla loan transfer from PSG. But given the North Londoners’ need to bring in a new midfielder, they went on to test the resolve of one of the Premier League’s brightest young midfielders.

According to a recent report by TBR Football, the Lilywhites, alongside Manchester United, made late approaches to sign Adam Wharton in the final hours of the window. Crystal Palace went on to turn both of them down. The Eagles were not entertained by losing him so late in the window, especially given how it would have been difficult to find a replacement.

Tottenham can still go in for Wharton when next window comes around

Wharton has grown massively since his move to Selhurst Park. And for Tottenham, the prospect of bringing him is obvious given how he has this ability to control games in possession while he can also shield the backline. He is someone who has the capacity to knit together the second phase at N17. This makes the 21-year-old an ideal candidate to play alongside the likes of Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr in Thomas Frank’s midfield.

Given how Rodrigo Bentancur is still finding his fitness and how Yves Bissouma is already on the verge of an exit, Tottenham were in the market trying to bring a sense of stability to that middle phase, and Wharton ticked every box.

The transfer viewpoint from Palace stands firm, as Steve Parish was in no mood to lose Wharton, especially on deadline day.

But there have been suggestions that the Eagles could consider a premium offer for him when the next window comes around. The Lilywhites’ Premier League rivals Chelsea are also said to be monitoring the midfielder.

Wharton could be a needed addition in Frank’s midfield

And while Wharton stays put at Selhurst Park for now, his future is clearly at a European elite level. Just the question is which of the elite PL clubs ends up giving him the right offer and space to express himself. And for Tottenham, Frank does like to exert a sense of control with technical players in the middle of the park, and Wharton is someone who could anchor the midfield at Tottenham for at least another decade.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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