Updated: 16 Jul 2026 14:20 BST |
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Liverpool have made Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton their top target this summer, having rejected the opportunity to sign Joao Gomes from Wolves, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.
With Dominik Szoboszlai having agreed a contract extension with the Reds, sporting director Richard Hughes will begin work reshaping Andoni Iraola’s midfield.
Initially, Joao Gomes was considered the leading candidate to sign for the Anfield club but a change of direction has pushed Adam Wharton to the top of the club’s shortlist.
Reds turn down Gomes to sign Wharton
Liverpool turned down the opportunity to sign Joao Gomes, who is closing in on a £35 million (€41m) move to Aston Villa from Wolves.
The Anfield club spoke to the agent of the 25-year-old, who was prepared to move to Anfield on his existing terms. FootballTransfers understands that the Brazilian was eager to sign for Liverpool.
Having weighed up that deal, the Reds’ recruitment team had a change of heart and opted for a different type of profile, targeting Wharton instead.
Crystal Palace want more than £100m
Wharton was a controversial omission from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad, yet he has continued to be linked with a string of top Premier League sides as well as Real Madrid.
Liverpool, though, have put the former Blackburn man front and centre of their plans.
Palace are eager to retain the central midfielder for at least one more season, having seen Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi depart last season to Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.
If Liverpool are to prise Wharton away from the Eagles, they will have to spend big on him. The London side are targeting a price in excess of £100m (€118m) having seen Elliot Anderson leave Nottingham Forest to join Manchester City for £116m.
The Reds, meanwhile, have shown a willingness to complete blockbuster transfers in recent months, having signed both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for British record fees last summer.
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