Manchester United are reportedly eyeing two Crystal Palace players as among their top transfer targets at the moment – Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Red Devils are continuing to struggle for consistency under Ruben Amorim, and it looks like there’s still a lot of work that needs doing on the squad at Old Trafford.
We’ve reported before on Man Utd being keen on Mateta, with some sources indicating that he could be available for around £40m.
Sky Sports are now also reporting on United’s interest in the French striker, whilst also mentioning Wharton as one of the club’s numerous midfield targets.
Manchester United could do with Mateta signing after Sesko struggles
Mateta has been prolific for Palace, scoring 10 goals in 30 games in all competitions so far this season, following on from a total of 17 last term and 19 the year before that.
The 28-year-old might not be a particularly long-term option due to his age, but he’s a proven Premier League goal-scorer who could help Amorim’s side while summer signing Benjamin Sesko continues to adapt to life in English football.
Sesko, 22, looked like a huge talent at former club RB Leipzig, but he’s only managed two goals in 16 appearances since moving to Old Trafford, which means the club could do with a reliable alternative.
Wharton looks like a dream midfield signing for United
Wharton, meanwhile, is a top young midfield talent who could be a superb long-term addition to this MUFC squad.
The 21-year-old, who has been linked with United before for around £70m, as per the Mirror, is said to be on the club’s list alongside other exciting young players such as Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.
Wharton’s intelligence on the ball and quality of passing could make him a big upgrade on someone like Manuel Ugarte, and an ideal long-term replacement for the ageing Casemiro.
More sales for Crystal Palace?
Needless to say, however, it would be a huge blow for Palace to lose both of these players in quick succession, so they’ll surely do whatever it takes to keep them.
We’ve seen, however, that Palace do tend to sell their star names eventually, with Michael Olise another big name to leave in recent years, so perhaps banking £110m or so from these sales is the kind of scenario they’d be prepared to accept.