Adam Wharton says he would be happy to remain with Crystal Palace until the end of his contract, despite reported interest from Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
Palace made clear that Wharton was not for sale, while the midfielder has deliberately kept himself away from speculation about a possible move. He said transfer matters are handled by his representatives and that his own attention has remained on training, matches and adapting to the new season at Palace.
The 22-year-old has three years left on his current deal, having signed a contract running until 2029 after joining from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024. Wharton said he is taking his future one week and one game at a time, with his priority being to perform and continue developing for the Eagles.
Wharton has also established himself in the England conversation. He missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad after being told he was close to selection, but he remains calm about whether he will be included for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. His view is that selection would be welcome, while any omission would simply allow him to continue working on his game at Palace.
The midfielder wore the Palace captain’s armband for the first time in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat by Ipswich Town. He believes the experience has encouraged him to become more vocal and take greater responsibility on the pitch, particularly as new players adapt to the team’s tactics and intensity.
Wharton said he wants to offer leadership whether he is captain or not, helping to bring the side together when required. His immediate focus now turns to Palace’s Europa League meeting with Lech Poznan.
