Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing a £60million swoop for Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace’s rising star.
The midfielder, 20, has dazzled since joining Palace from Blackburn for £22.5m in January.
There is clamour for him to be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
Bayern are desperate to sign him after missing out on his signature in January, according to The Sun.
Palace saw off competition from Bayern and Chelsea and the exposure to first-team Premier League football at Selhurst Park has catapulted his career.
He if flourishing under Oliver Glasner and has been instrumental in their run of five wins in six games, including victories over Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United.
Wharton scored a seven in Mail Sport’s player ratings from the 4-0 drubbing of United on Monday night, underlining his ability to perform on the big stage.
Addressing talk of him possible making England’s Euros squad, Wharton, and U21s international, said: ‘I don’t really think about that too much,’ Wharton said. ‘The only time it’s on my mind is when I’m getting asked about it.
‘It’s obviously great to be mentioned within that. It’s not at the front of my mind. I’m just taking each day as it comes trying to get better. If it happens, it happens. It’d be great, obviously. But at the same time, I’m not expecting anything.
‘I’m just enjoying my football at Palace. We’ve still two got two games left before the Euros or the summer and I’m looking at them first. If I get the call-up, wow, fantastic. If not, [I’ll be] recovering somewhere and then get ready to go again.
‘When you’re winning a game, it’s always a lot better than when you’re losing or drawing. It just builds the confidence throughout. You can enjoy the game and express yourself a bit more.’
Southgate has proven he is willing to reward breakout young stars with game time, feeding Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo into his team this year.
It doesn’t help Wharton’s case that Mainoo was man of the match in the 2-2 draw against Belgium in March.
However, the fact he has caught the eye so quickly in a largely average season for Palace highlights his standout qualities.
Palace could face a fight to keep him this summer, and it’s the same case with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
The Eagles have slapped a £60m transfer premium on Olise, who is admired by Newcastle, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG, and practically anybody who watches football.
Eze is guarded by an equivalent transfer demand and is attracting interest from the same suitors.
Both have signed long-term extensions this season.
Olise inked a four-year, £100,000-per-week extension in August, just two days after Chelsea thought they had activated his £35m release clause in his former contract.
Eze then penned a three-and-a-half-year deal in November, committing his future to the South London club until 2027.
