Report: Real Madrid now really want to sign £70m England midfielder who is on Arsenal’s shortlist

Regardless of whether Arsenal win the Premier League title or not this season, they would likely have a shortlist of targets ready in preparation of the summer transfer window.

The best example is Martin Zubimendi, who Arsenal have agreed terms with reportedly as they seemingly plan to upgrade their midfield.

If Zubimendi does end up signing for Arsenal, that would be a message to their fans that their sights remain set on winning silverware despite disappointments in recent seasons.

However, to close the 13-point gap on Liverpool, just one signing is unlikely to do the trick for the Gunners.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
LiverpoolLiverpool	28	20	7	1	66	26	40	67
2	ArsenalArsenal	27	15	9	3	51	23	28	54

With Arsenal in advanced talks to appoint Andrea Berta, the responsibility will lie on the former Atletico Madrid sporting director’s shoulders to deliver priority signings if he does say yes to the role.

But even prior to the links to Berta, it seems like Mikel Arteta and Co have had several targets on their mind.

One of them is Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton, who Arsenal admire. But it looks like Real Madrid could be lurking in the background to spoil the North Londoners’ party and swoop in for Wharton.

Real Madrid scouting Adam Wharton amid Arsenal interest

A latest report by the Daily Mail has revealed that Real Madrid have been monitoring Arsenal target Wharton’s progress since he returned from his lengthy spell out from a groin injury.

So much so that representatives from Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been present at Selhurst Park to watch the England international in action.

Wharton is held in high esteem by Crystal Palace, who expect him to evolve into the pick of the lot out of their big names in recent years such as Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze. So much so that despite only signing him in January 2024, Palace have expected the 21-year-old to leave for the last year.

The report mentions that the price tag for Wharton is set to placed at a minimum of £70 million and it is a doubtful whether Arsenal pay such an eye-watering fee considering they are looking to sign a striker and expected to pay the £51 million release clause to sign Zubimendi at the end of the season anyway.

Tottenham are huge fans of Wharton as well, while Manchester United and Liverpool hold him in high esteem but have other priorities in the summer.

Bayern Munich also have a longstanding interest in signing the highly-rated midfielder.

Arsenal need Adam Wharton with Thomas Partey set to leave

Wharton has Declan impressed Rice in particular, who said via Sky Sports: “I think there’s a difference you can see between a top-level player at 20 and young players that are just on the cuff of stuff and he’s top-level, he’s really, really top-level.”

“At 20 years old, he sees a pass early, left and right foot, like I said, it was impressive the way he passes a ball, whether it’s only five or 10 yards, its a crispness to it that’s really impressive. He’s really calm, composed, relaxed, you speak to the Crystal Palace boys, he’s shocked them on how well he’s done.”

Thomas Partey is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the season and Wharton, who is also a holding midfielder would be the perfect replacement for him alongside Zubimendi — as Rice continues to play in an advanced position.

Real Madrid and Arsenal will agree with the former West Ham United captain’s verdict about Wharton and will be hoping to win the race for his signature.

But it looks like signing the in-demand prospect will be easier said than done with the long list of clubs waiting to snap up his signature.