City have reportedly turned their attention towards Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as Enzo Maresca considers his options following Rodri’s departure.
Replacing Rodri was always likely to require more than one solution, and City’s midfield plans continue to develop with less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi have featured prominently in recent discussions, but Wharton has now re-emerged as another potential option.
According to tabloid reports, City are targeting the England midfielder as part of their plans to strengthen following Rodri’s £51m move to Barcelona.
Sky Sports’ transfer Paper Talk is also carrying the Wharton link on Wednesday.
Wharton back on Man City’s radar
Wharton’s name is not entirely new at the Etihad.
City were linked with the Crystal Palace midfielder earlier this year, but the circumstances have changed significantly now that Rodri has actually left the club.
The Spanish World Cup winner completed his move to Barcelona this week, ending a seven-year City career in which he made 298 appearances and won 14 major trophies.
Wharton, 22, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most highly regarded young midfielders since joining Palace from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024.
Any deal would be difficult. Palace have been reluctant to lose Wharton and previous reports have placed a substantial valuation on the England international.
There is also no suggestion at this stage that City have submitted an offer.
Nevertheless, his return to the conversation is significant. City’s interest in Fernandez has been complicated by Chelsea’s £120m valuation, while Bouaddi represents another expensive option.
Wharton now provides another name to watch as Maresca and City’s recruitment team decide how best to rebuild a midfield that has undergone considerable change this summer.
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