Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Manchester United will make a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton next summer.
Mikel made the prediction during a live Q&A with AFTV’s Robbie Lyle, broadcast on The Obi One Podcast, expressing strong admiration for the young Englishman.
He said: “I love him! I love Adam Wharton, I’m a big, big fan. I think he’s going to go places, though, I think next season he will leave Crystal Palace.”
Mikel went further, specifically naming United as the destination, adding: “I think they want to keep him for one more season and I see him going to Manchester United next season.”
Wharton, 22, joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers a couple of years ago and has since won an FA Cup, Conference League, and Community Shield at Selhurst Park.
He is currently valued at around £60m by Transfermarkt and remains under contract with Crystal Palace until 2029, meaning the South London club hold significant leverage in any potential transfer negotiations.
Manchester United bolstered their midfield considerably during the recently concluded summer window, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba alongside goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Despite those arrivals, Michael Carrick’s side have made an inconsistent start to the Premier League season, suffering an opening defeat to Hull City before thrashing Ipswich Town 5-2.
Their momentum stalled further last weekend when Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a late equaliser for Everton, earning the Toffees a 2-2 draw and leaving United with dropped points in a game they will have expected to win.
Wharton is regarded as a technically gifted left-footed deep-lying playmaker who can also provide cover in a box-to-box role when required, giving any potential suitor considerable tactical flexibility.
United face Sabah in the Champions League in midweek before turning their attention to a Premier League showdown against Manchester City next Sunday, with pressure already building on the squad.
Should United follow through on a summer move for Wharton, they would be adding a player widely seen as one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League to an already significantly reshaped engine room.