£100m rated Man Utd transfer target Adam Wharton may have ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to leave in 2026, claims Ben Jacobs

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Manchester United will address the midfield position in 2026, and there are a number of names already in the mix.

Over the past 15 years Manchester United have recruited infrequently and often poorly in central midfield.

Former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only ever signed Donny van de Beek for the position, while Ruben Amorim has skipped it so far in his first two transfer windows.

Erik ten Hag signed Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, with the latter released in 2025, and the former’s contract set to expire next summer.

It is time for fresh faces, and one potential new addition next summer could become available.

Adam Wharton could be available

Manchester United’s top midfield target in the summer just gone was Carlos Baleba, and the club’s interest in the Brighton star remains strong.

But Baleba is not the only name in the mix. United enquired after Adam Wharton after it was made clear Brighton would not sell.

Crystal Palace also dismissed United’s enquiries for Wharton – but according to journalist Ben Jacobs, they could be open to selling in 2026.

Jacobs told The United Stand: “My understanding with Wharton is there’s kind of a gentleman’s agreement in place allowing him to leave Crystal Palace  next summer. So that’s clearly going to be one to watch.

“And in the same way that Eberechi Eze, even though it wasn’t his release clause, was allowed to depart even after the release clause expired.

“I think Wharton could leave Crystal Palace next summer.”

Wharton a top, expensive prospect

Adam Wharton is only 21-years-old and is proven in the Premier League, also helping Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup in 2025.

Manchester United were linked to Wharton when he was at Blackburn Rovers, but did not make an offer when Palace signed him in January 2024.

Within months he was at Euro 2024 with England, and there is a big chance he goes to the 2026 World Cup in the USA.

This will keep his transfer value high, with Give Me Sport reporting Palace value him in the £100 million range.

His ‘gentleman’s agreement’ could be denied by Palace, who want to concentrate on their season, but after seeing Eze depart, it may only be a matter of time before Wharton eventually follows.