Crystal Palace inform Manchester City of strict Adam Wharton stance amid January transfer interest

Manchester City have been made aware of Crystal Palace’s firm stance around midfielder Adam Wharton ahead of possible interest in the January transfer window.

The England international is one of a number of defensive midfield names from across the top of the European game to have been linked with interest from the Etihad Stadium ahead of the winter market.

That growing search from Manchester City for a new name in that position comes as the club continues to search for solutions in light of Rodri’s long-term absence, after the Spaniard was ruled out for the remainder of the ongoing season via a double knee injury.

Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff have trialled a number of solutions including Ilkay Gundogan, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and Mateo Kovacic in the role, but there remains a feeling that the club are still light in terms of options for the rest of the campaign.

One profile that Manchester City have previously been linked with and appear to be maintaining an interest in is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. However, the Premier League champions have now received an update.

According to the information of MailSport’s Sami Mokbel, the South London club have no intention of selling Wharton in January, with Manchester City among the Premier League clubs monitoring the player’s situation closely.

With Crystal Palace reportedly resolved to keep Wharton at Selhurst Park until at least the summer, MailSport states that it remains to be seen whether an offer way over their valuation would change their stance.

Should the former Blackburn Rovers talent stay in January, the report says that Crystal Palace know they will face a fight to keep the player ahead of the 2025/26 season with top clubs monitoring his development.

Manchester City have been linked with a host of other names in recent weeks, including Real Sociedad and Spain’s Martin Zubimendi, whilst there is also a belief that Atalanta and Brazil’s Éderson has been discussed in some parts of the club.

Pep Guardiola has other profiles that he could turn to from his Academy this season, and was left impressed by the likes of Nico O’Reilly during pre-season in the United States, whilst Jacob Wright has remained a part of the first-team squad for the most-part of the ongoing campaign.

Manchester City are currently 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, and are currently seven games without a win across all competitions, with their last victory being a 1-0 win over Southampton in late October.