Tottenham told to fork out £100m for midfield target who is not keen on a summer move

The Lilywhites remain keen to bring in more midfielders in the ongoing summer window on midfield options as they work on ensuring that the mess in the Morgan Gibbs-White transfer is cleared and he is given that green light to move to N17. But any hope of bringing in Wharton to Hotspur Way has hit a wall as well.

In a latest report by senior correspondent at TBR Football, Graeme Bailey, Steve Parish is not looking to sell the 21-year-old midfielder in the ongoing offseason unless a “nine-figure” bid lands on his desk, which translates to anything over £100m. Speaking to TBR football, Bailey said:

“Adam Wharton is not leaving Crystal Palace this summer. What I have been told from the Palace end is that it would take an astronomical amount of money to get him out.

“Obviously, these things change very quickly, but we are hearing at the moment that if you were to go to Palace and Steve Parish, you would be looking at over £100 million.

“I do not think anyone is willing to do that for Adam Wharton this summer, as it stands. He is a player Tottenham likes, but I think he is one who they will address again, just not this summer.

“I do not believe the player is in a massive rush to get out either, because he had a very stop-start season last term.”

The thing is that Tottenham could have landed him for just £22m last year, but now if Levy wants to secure his signatures, he will have to dig deep into his pockets. And there are no surprises that Tottenham, while they admire Wharton, are not prepared to pay that asking price of the Eagles. Not now and definitely not this summer, at least.

Tottenham could have signed Wharton for £22m

Wharton moved to South London from Blackburn in the winter window in 2024, and the Lilywhites at the time had been watching him closely, but then decision-makers at Hotspur Way hesitated to make a move while Palace went on for him. And now that £22m deal now looks like a serious bargain.

He added:

“Tottenham have a very good scouting system in England. Tottenham knew all about Wharton, and they were interested in it, as alluded to a long time ago.

“Tottenham probably have some regret about not moving for him because, as we have seen with the likes of Bergvall and Gray, they are willing to roll the dice on these younger players.

“At the time, the ball sat up nicely for Palace, and it was in a sweet spot for them to grab him, which they did.”

With Crystal Palace pricing Wharton out of Tottenham’s reach , Daniel Levy will have to start looking elsewhere as the North Londoners look to bring in a central midfielder this summer.