Wharton, the brain that Xabi Alonso wants at Real Madrid

In Xabi Alonso's master plan, there is still a piece that doesn't quite fit. The new coach of Real Madrid has a range of high-quality midfielders but lacks a specific profile: a pure organizer.

The retirement of Toni Kroos and the departure of Luka Modric left a void in the team's heart. Today, the search for a brain capable of dictating the rhythm of matches is a priority at the white house.

Among the names that have emerged on the agenda, one stands out strongly: Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old player from Crystal Palace has become one of the sensations of the Premier League. Left-footed, elegant in his playmaking, and with a privileged vision, Wharton embodies everything that Real Madrid has been missing since losing their midfield maestros.

Adam Wharton, perfect for Real Madrid's midfield

The young Englishman was signed by Palace from Blackburn Rovers just a year ago for €21 million. His progression has been meteoric: winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield in his first season, he is already an England international and considered one of the biggest promises of his generation. According to the newspaper AS, his performances have not only attracted Real Madrid's interest but also that of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

At the white club, they see him as the ideal player to control the game, break lines, and provide pause when needed. Xabi Alonso, who understands better than anyone the importance of having a midfielder who thinks before acting, is convinced that Wharton would be the perfect piece to bring balance to a squad full of talent but lacking a true conductor.

The main obstacle, as often happens in these operations, is the price. Crystal Palace is not willing to let him go for less than €80 million, a significant sum considering that Real Madrid has already invested over €170 million this summer in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono. The possibility of making this signing largely depends on a big sale, and all eyes are on Rodrygo Goes, who has top-tier suitors in England.

If that departure takes place, the pieces could align for Real Madrid to make the decisive move for Wharton. The board knows that his signing is not only an investment for the present but also for the future. At 21, the Englishman could leave his mark at the Bernabéu and become the natural heir to Kroos and Modric, a player who combines youth, talent, and potential.

Meanwhile, the club is handling the situation patiently. If the deal is not finalized in this transfer window, it is not ruled out that it will be attempted later, when the financial situation allows and when Palace, which recently received €80 million from the sale of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, may be more open to negotiating.

At Chamartín, they are clear: Adam Wharton is a top priority. His technical quality, maturity, and ability to control the rhythm of games make him the midfielder that every big team desires. Guardiola publicly praised him after facing him, and in England, they already compare him to Andrea Pirlo. If Real Madrid wants to continue dominating Europe in the coming years, it needs to have a conductor in the engine room again, and that could be the young talent from Palace.

The story is still unfolding, but the message is clear: Real Madrid continues to have Adam Wharton in mind and will eventually try to make him the cornerstone of their new sporting project.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Wharton, el cerebro que Xabi Alonso quiere en el Real Madrid