Liverpool transfer talks advance for Adam Wharton in potential record midfield deal

Liverpool move for Adam Wharton gathers pace as Curtis Jones future hangs in balance

Something feels like it’s shifting at Liverpool again. Not dramatically, not loudly, but quietly in the background where big decisions usually start.

Curtis Jones has always been a bit different in that squad. Local lad, academy product, the kind of player fans instinctively want to succeed. But sentiment doesn’t always carry much weight when contracts stall and roles start to blur.

And right now, both are happening.

The situation with Jones isn’t straightforward

Jones hasn’t disappeared this season. He’s been involved, regularly in fact. But scratch beneath that and it tells a slightly different story.

Minutes have come in bursts. Starts have often arrived out of position. There have even been games where he’s been asked to fill in at right-back, which, fairly or not, says a lot about where he currently sits in the pecking order.

For a player who sees himself as a central midfielder first and foremost, it’s not ideal.

There’s also the contract issue. Just one year left, and talks over a new deal haven’t really moved for months. That tends to lead somewhere predictable.

As Fabrizio Romano put it: “Curtis Jones could leave Liverpool in the summer as talks over new deal have been stalling for months.”

That’s not speculation anymore. It’s a situation.

Interest is already there too. Inter Milan have been watching since January, while clubs like Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping an eye on things.

Liverpool already thinking ahead

Clubs rarely wait around when situations like this develop. And Liverpool, it seems, are already planning for what comes next.

The name that keeps coming up is Adam Wharton.

Talks are believed to be well underway. Not tentative interest, but something more serious, more deliberate. According to reports, Liverpool are pushing hard to get ahead of the queue, particularly with Real Madrid also circling.

It’s a familiar pattern. Identify the player early, move quickly, avoid a bidding war if possible. Though with this one, that might be easier said than done.

Why Wharton fits what they need

Wharton’s rise at Crystal Palace hasn’t gone unnoticed. Calm on the ball, intelligent in tight spaces, and already looking comfortable at Premier League level despite his age.

He’s not flashy in the obvious sense. But the kind of midfielder who keeps things ticking, who sees passes a second earlier than most, who quietly dictates games without needing to dominate headlines.

That profile makes sense for Liverpool.

If Jones leaves, they’re not just losing a squad player. They’re losing depth, versatility, and a homegrown presence. Replacing that isn’t simple. But Wharton offers something different, perhaps even something more defined.

The price tells its own story

This won’t come cheap. Far from it.

Crystal Palace are believed to want around £70 million. That figure alone says everything about how highly they rate him. It would set a new club record, just edging past the £68 million move of Eberechi Eze.

And Palace aren’t under pressure to sell either. Wharton is tied down long-term, and they’re in a position where they can dictate terms.

Liverpool, though, appear willing to engage with those demands. That’s the interesting part.

What this actually means

If you step back, this feels like more than just a simple replacement.

It’s a shift in profile. Jones, for all his qualities, has never quite nailed down one specific role. Wharton, by contrast, looks like a player built for a particular function in midfield.

That clarity matters, especially in a side trying to evolve.

There’s also the timing. Liverpool aren’t waiting for the situation with Jones to resolve itself. They’re acting early, which usually tells you they’re preparing for a departure rather than just considering it.

Nothing is signed yet, but the direction feels clear.

Jones could be on his way out, with interest building both in England and abroad. Wharton is emerging as the priority target, even with competition from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

And Liverpool? They’re moving with intent.

It might not be the loudest story of the summer, but it has the feel of one that could define how their midfield looks next season.