Liverpool Start Talks for “World-class” £60m CM, He’d Be a Better Signing Than Wirtz
After clinching the Premier League crown in the 2024/25 season, Liverpool have shown no intention of easing up, as they set their sights on remaining a dominant force in the upcoming campaign.
The Reds sealed the title with a comfortable 10-point lead, suffering just four defeats in their 38 matches—two of which came after they had already wrapped up the championship in Arne Slot’s debut season.
It proved to be a memorable campaign for the club, as they made significant strides under the Dutch manager, doing so impressively with only one senior signing during the previous summer transfer window.
This time, however, it seems the club’s hierarchy are throwing their full support behind Slot, providing significant financial backing to help him mount a strong title defence in the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool have already confirmed the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, with Milos Kerkez seemingly the next name lined up, and their transfer activity appears far from over.
In recent weeks, securing a new striker has become a top priority for Slot, as he aims to bolster the attack with a clinical presence to enhance the effectiveness of his forward line at Anfield.
Names such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké, and Viktor Gyokeres have been linked with the Reds, though there has yet to be any indication that a deal for any of them is nearing completion.
Elsewhere on the pitch, the midfield is also under consideration for reinforcements, with Adam Wharton emerging as a fresh target in recent days, according to journalist Francois Plateau.
He reports that Liverpool have initiated contact with the representatives of the Crystal Palace midfielder and are preparing to assess the possibility of bringing the 21-year-old to Merseyside.
Plateau also revealed that Slot’s side are unwilling to meet the current £60 million valuation placed on the player, potentially paving the way for negotiations over a deal for the England international.
Why Wharton Would Be a Better Signing Than Wirtz for Liverpool
Liverpool supporters have been given another major reason to feel optimistic in recent days, following the club’s agreement of a sensational £116.5 million deal with Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
The 22-year-old delivered an impressive return of 22 goals and assists in the Bundesliga this season, with Arne Slot’s team seemingly beating both Manchester City and Bayern Munich to secure his services.
Although the deal represents a significant financial outlay, it promises to bring a new dynamic to the squad and could position the club for both immediate impact and long-term success.
His output during the 2024/25 season would provide a platform for other attackers to increase their own numbers, potentially making Liverpool an even more formidable side under Arne Slot in his second year in charge.
Yet, Adam Wharton might prove to be an even more impactful addition than the German playmaker. While Wirtz will need to compete with Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai for a spot in the lineup, Liverpool have lacked a true holding midfielder ever since Fabinho’s exit—highlighted by their failed pursuits of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
At long last, Wharton could be the player to reshape Liverpool’s midfield more significantly than Wirtz. A comparison with current midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister shows he has outperformed them in several important metrics, underlining why he could be such a vital acquisition.
The 21-year-old, described as “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, has recorded more progressive passes and key passes per 90 minutes, showing his quality on the ball and his ability to support the attacking unit effectively.
| How Wharton compares to Gravenberch & Mac Allister in the PL (2024/25) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Wharton | Gravenberch | Mac Allister |
| Games played | 20 | 37 | 35 |
| Goals & assists | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| Progressive passes | 7.3 | 5.1 | 6.1 |
| Key passes | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| Passes into final third | 5.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Interceptions made | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| Clearances made | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1 |
| Recoveries made | 7 | 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Stats Source: FBref | |||
Wharton has also stood out defensively, registering more interceptions and recoveries than both Mac Allister and Gravenberch, giving Slot a much-needed presence who can contribute at both ends of the pitch.
To be outperforming players of their calibre at just 21 years of age is no small achievement, showcasing his level of performance in the Premier League and hinting at even greater potential as he continues to develop.
If he maintains this upward trajectory, Wharton could establish himself as one of the finest deep-lying midfielders in the world, with his current reported valuation still representing strong value for money.
While much of the spotlight is currently on Wirtz following his record-breaking move, Slot could arguably make an even smarter statement by securing Wharton—creating a dynamic duo capable of guiding Liverpool to future silverware.
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