Oliver Glasner
February 2026
Crystal Palace will retain Oliver Glasner until the end of the season despite away-fan chants calling for his dismissal following a disappointing draw with Zrinjski Mostar. With Palace on a poor run and Glasner already expected to leave in the summer when his contract expires, the club has decided against an early change, keeping him in place to finish the campaign.
Alexis Mac Allister
February 2026
Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as a potential summer target while building a wider midfield shortlist. Any deal would be difficult given his contract and the rarity of direct Liverpool-United transfers. Reports frame United’s interest as contingent on availability. Mac Allister remains a regular starter but has had a quieter season after a serious groin issue last year. United are also linked with Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson as alternative options.
Sandro Tonali
January 2026
Reports say Manchester United are lining up a summer move for Sandro Tonali as Casemiro nears the end of his deal, with Newcastle expected to demand around £100m and Juventus also interested. United are planning midfield reinforcements and Tonali is one of several targets, alongside Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. Newcastle hold Tonali under contract to 2029 and would command a premium based on recent nine-figure midfield deals, and any sale would represent a major profit on their 2023 fee.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
United are likely to avoid January signings despite having funds available, focusing instead on a structured summer rebuild. The report claims United were willing to trigger Semenyo’s £65m release clause but chose not to, allowing City to sign him. Amorim had pushed for a winter midfield signing, but the board want to stick to budget cycles after heavy spending last year and will target a defensive midfielder in summer, with several young profiles tracked.
Elliot Anderson
December 2025
Manchester United have put Elliot Anderson at the top of their midfield shortlist as they prepare for uncertainty around Kobbie Mainoo and continued struggles from Manuel Ugarte. United also expect to miss out to Manchester City for Antoine Semenyo, forcing a pivot in January plans. Anderson is viewed as a premium target but is unlikely to be available until summer because Forest are fighting relegation and chasing a Europa League run. United’s wider holding-midfield list includes Carlos Baleba, Conor Gallagher, Adam Wharton, Tyler Adams, Joao Gomes, Ruben Neves and James Garner.
Manchester United
December 2025
Manchester United are drawing up plans for a new long-term midfield partnership next summer, closely tracking Premier League talents including Anderson, Wharton, Baleba and Scott as doubts grow over the futures of Fernandes, Casemiro, Mainoo and Ugarte in Amorim’s evolving squad. With high earners Fernandes and Casemiro potentially sellable, Mainoo frustrated by minutes and Ugarte yet to win Amorim’s trust, United expect to fund at least one big midfield signing via outgoing deals, prioritising younger profiles on sensible wages after missing out on Declan Rice in 2023.
Tyler Adams
December 2025
Pundits and reports are pushing Manchester United to make Tyler Adams their primary midfield target, arguing he is a better immediate fit than Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson as Amorim searches for a reliable defensive anchor to reshape his engine room. With Brighton blocking January talks for Carlos Baleba and complications around Wharton’s new Palace contract and Anderson’s availability, Adams’ Premier League output at Bournemouth, built on interceptions and tackles in a Makelele style role, is seen as the cleanest tactical and financial solution.
Adam Wharton
December 2025
Adam Wharton’s agent has admitted the Crystal Palace midfielder ultimately wants Champions League football, acknowledging that a move away from Selhurst Park is likely one day amid growing interest from Manchester United and other elite clubs ahead of the 2026 transfer window. Co-owner Steve Parish stressed Palace will only sell for a huge fee, pointing to Wharton’s long contract, focus on regular minutes and England ambitions, while accepting it is unsurprising major sides admire an “extraordinary talent” who could reach Europe either with Palace or elsewhere.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
October 2025
United have cooled on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba after his slow start and valuation, moving Wharton up the list for January due to his progressive passing and control against low blocks. Ruben Amorim seeks a medium-term midfield hub. Palace’s stance and price will dictate timing while Brighton reaffirm Baleba’s importance after summer interest.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
October 2025
Yeremy Pino’s comments comparing Wharton to Rodri have amplified transfer talk around the English midfielder. Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool are monitoring him as a long-term successor to Toni Kroos or Luka Modric.
Wharton’s mix of energy, precision, and ball-winning has drawn admiration across Europe. Pino claimed Wharton has “Spain national team” quality. Palace may face heavy pressure to sell next summer if offers align with their valuation and Wharton’s ambitions.
