Two Man Utd stars Ruben Amorim could send to Crystal Palace in Adam Wharton swap

Crystal Palace's young midfield maestro, Adam Wharton, is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after talents in European football. The rumour mill is buzzing with reports that Manchester United are keen on snapping up the 21-year-old starlet.

After seven matches, United find themselves sitting in seventh place in the Premier League table. New recruit Benjamin Sesko finally found the net at the end of September following a modest start to life in Manchester.

While additions like Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have bolstered the squad, Ruben Amorim's side are still struggling to gel and the heat is beginning to mount on the Portuguese gaffer.

United had their eyes on Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba during the summer transfer window but were deterred by the hefty £100m price tag slapped on him by The Seagulls.

Clearly, Amorim and his team felt the need for reinforcements in the midfield. Skipper Bruno Fernandes was also rumoured to be considering a move to Saudi Arabia during the same period and at 31, it wouldn't be outlandish to think he might fancy a change in the next couple of transfer windows.

READ MORE: Man Utd's 7-hour crisis meeting led to sacking as Amorim questions asked behind the scenes

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Therefore, United need to start planning for the future and Wharton fits the bill perfectly. Reports suggest that United are prepared to shell out £60m for the English wonderkid, but it's highly likely that this sum will fall short of Palace's valuation.

The London-based club has set a hefty £150m price tag on Wharton and with his contract not expiring until 2029, they hold the upper hand in any negotiation talks. Despite being content at Palace, the allure of joining one of England's top clubs could prove irresistible for Wharton.

Having earned his first England cap and been a surprise addition to the squad that made it to the Euro 2024 final, Wharton has been absent from recent line-ups. However, he revealed that Thomas Tuchel assured him his performance was up to par and he was close to selection, but the coach wanted to maintain team consistency.

"Nothing is expected," Wharton stated. "England have some top players and he's got a lot of players to choose from. No matter who he picks someone is not going to get in and there will be a fuss about it.

"I can't sit here and cry about it, this is football and I'm happy playing for Palace and getting minutes. I'll keep knocking on the door and if I'm in, I'm in and if not I'll carry on."

As per The Daily Star, Amorim is reportedly a 'huge fan' of the young player.

United may need to streamline their squad in upcoming transfer windows, which could play into their hands if they're keen on signing Wharton. Casemiro's departure from United seems imminent, but a move to Palace appears highly unlikely given his age and salary demands.

The Mirror examines potential swap deals that could benefit both clubs....

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo, once hailed as the next big thing, is no longer a regular on the pitch and had sought a loan move last summer for this very reason. His request was denied, so it's probable that the 20-year-old will be looking for a permanent transfer in the January window.

With the World Cup looming next year, the England midfielder is keen to get more game time to secure his place in the squad. Palace would likely demand cash plus Mainoo in exchange for Wharton, whose value is currently at its peak.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another potential bargaining chip for United could be Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee. He arrived at Old Trafford amid high expectations but things haven't quite panned out for the 24-year-old.

Despite being fielded as a striker on several occasions, he hasn't managed to cement his position, proving more effective in the number 10 role.

AC Milan and Juventus have shown interest in Zirkzee, who joined United after an impressive stint with Bologna in Serie A. While Zirkzee doesn't fit into Wharton's deeper midfield position, his inclusion in a swap deal could give Palace additional firepower to support Mateta.

As per TBR Football, Zirkzee has informed United officials of his desire to leave in the January window to secure a spot in the Netherlands' World Cup squad. A switch to The Eagles - offering regular Premier League football - might just be the smart move for Zirkzee.

A swap deal involving Zirkzee and Mainoo could be a fair trade for Wharton. However, as previously noted, if only one of these players is on the table, Palace will likely demand additional cash.

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