Chelsea remain keen on Adam Wharton amid record-breaking financial loss

[p]The Blues are actively exploring candidates to add depth in the middle of the park, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wharton-adam/v5IYUpDm/"]Wharton[/a] emerging as one of the standout options after an impressive rise at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/crystal-palace/AovF1Mia/"]Crystal Palace[/a].[/p][p][b]Part of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a]’s planning is being shaped by growing uncertainty around Enzo Fernandez, who continues to be linked with a potential move to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a].[/b][/p][p]The Spanish giants are also understood to admire Wharton, but would prioritise a move for Chelsea’s Argentina international. This could see Wharton become a potential replacement - but Chelsea’s interest is not solely reactive.[/p][p]The club have been monitoring midfield profiles throughout the year, and Wharton’s Premier League experience, combined with his composure and range of passing, makes him an attractive long-term addition.[/p][embed guid="88455a8c-4dc0-4c09-a3ab-fa756975d59d" url="https://x.com/BBCMOTD/status/2039348933194104925" social-type="twitter" /][p]Chelsea plan to continue building their squad at a time when they have reported record-breaking financial losses, posting a £262m deficit for the 2024–25 period.[/p][p]Before now, the highest Premier League loss recorded was Manchester City’s £197.5million in 2011.[/p][p][b]Internally, there is confidence that Chelsea remain within the Premier League’s current financial framework, but the headline figures will place added focus on how they approach future spending - particularly when it comes to high-value deals.[/b][/p][p]That may even become a key factor in any move for Wharton, and Chelsea will not be alone in the race.[/p][p]Manchester United are pushing to position themselves at the front of the queue, viewing Wharton as a key target for their midfield rebuild. They have also been linked with the likes of Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, Joao Gomes and Elliot Anderson.[/p][p]Manchester City have tracked Wharton’s development, while Real Madrid’s interest adds a further elite dimension to the situation.[/p][p]Crystal Palace have been in no rush to sell but are aware of the battle they face.[/p][p][b]Wharton is under contract until 2029 and is initially valued at around £100m, with the club believed to be using the benchmark set by Declan Rice’s move from West Ham United to Arsenal as a reference point in future negotiations.[/b][/p][p]With the midfielder expected to be part of England’s plans for the upcoming World Cup, his stock is still rising - setting the stage for a major transfer scrap in the months ahead.[/p][image alt="Dean Jones" id="0f685dd0-10a2-43d8-9966-361f00f7203c" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="4fece066-3786-4bee-a770-60240e32b8ba" original-width="1200" original-height="380" /]