Crystal Palace Star Adam Wharton Linked to Real Madrid in 'Bellingham Template' Transfer
Speculation is intensifying around Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with reports suggesting Real Madrid are plotting a surprise move for the 21-year-old England international. Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has drawn comparisons between Wharton's potential career trajectory and that of Jude Bellingham, suggesting the Palace star could follow a similar path from the English Football League to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Wharton joined Crystal Palace in early 2024 for £22 million, a fee that initially raised eyebrows given his limited senior experience in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers. However, the midfielder quickly silenced doubters with impressive performances that earned him an England call-up within just six months of his Premier League debut. Now, Palace appear positioned to make a substantial profit on their investment, with transfer fees of around £70 million being mentioned.
"I still think it was a punt on potential and unknown talent at that level, but my word has he settled into that really well," Prutton remarked about Wharton's adaptation to top-flight football. "To be brutally honest, you wouldn't expect to see that trajectory from Blackburn Rovers to Real Madrid in such a short space of time."
The pundit elaborated on qualities that make Wharton suitable for a club of Madrid's stature: "The way he moves and gets about the pitch and the understated manner in which he approaches his profession, his ability to handle the pressure - whether it's England squads or Premier League football - means you have a lot of the make-up that would help him to perform at a top club."
Prutton specifically referenced Bellingham's career path as a template for Wharton's potential move, noting how the former Birmingham City player successfully transitioned to international football before securing his move to Spain.
Wharton has recently returned from hernia surgery, which may have limited transfer interest during the January window. Manchester City reportedly considered pursuing the midfielder but ultimately decided against it at that time. Beyond Real Madrid's interest, Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the situation closely.
With Crystal Palace firmly positioned in mid-table, the club may face challenges retaining their rising star as elite European clubs circle. The potential transfer represents another example of top-tier clubs identifying talent in England's lower divisions and developing them into world-class prospects worthy of competing at the highest level.
